Conference Description
The Gordon Research Seminar on Excitatory Synapses and Brain Function is a unique forum for graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas.
Synapses are remarkably cellular specializations that mediate communication between millions of neurons and sculpt information processing in the brain. To achieve such important tasks, an intricate molecular machinery is at play, not only to regulate basal synaptic transmission, but also mediate activity-dependent alterations on synaptic strength. A precise regulation of synaptic structure and function is critical to normal circuit function and, at a larger scale, enables complex forms of animal behavior.
This GRS aims to understand the molecular, structural and functional mechanisms that underlie synaptic target specificity and its role in functional diversification of neuronal synapses. In addition, we will examine recent advances on excitatory neuronal network function: from individual receptors, to complex brain circuits underlying behavioral tasks in both physiological and pathological conditions. The GRS format allows young scientists to present their work among their peers, while also providing discussions on career development in the form of a mentorship panel and round tables with professionals with different research experiences.
Application Instructions
The seminar will feature approximately 10 talks and 2 poster sessions. All attendees are expected to actively participate in the GRS, either by giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster. Therefore, all applications must include an abstract.
The seminar chair will select speakers from abstracts submitted by March 5, 2021. Those applicants who are not chosen for talks and those who apply after the deadline to be considered for an oral presentation will be expected to present a poster. In order to participate, you must submit an application by the date indicated in the Application Information section above.
Program Format
Gordon Research Seminars are 2-day meetings which take place on the Saturday and Sunday just prior to the start of the associated GRC. The GRS opens with a 1-hour introductory session on Saturday afternoon, followed by a poster session, dinner and a 2-hour session in the evening. Sunday morning begins with breakfast and is followed by another 2-hour session, a second poster session, and lunch. A final 1-hour session takes place just after lunch, and the associated GRC begins later that evening.
