The aim of the lectures is to address the developmental processes that contribute to the formation of the central and of the peripheral nervous system at the molecular, cellular and systemic levels. Neural development will be studied from the initial specification of the neural tissue to the wiring of interconnected functional circuits. Mechanistic aspects will focus on the genetic regulators and signaling pathways involved in neural induction, patterning of the nervous system (morphogens), neuronal and glial differentiation, neuronal migration, axonal growth and guidance and synaptogenesis, and on activity-dependent maturation of neural circuitry. Alterations of the development of the nervous system, either of endogenous or exogenous origin, will be addressed. Finally, cutting-edge experimental approaches used for research in the field of neural development will be discussed.
- Professor: Tissir Fadel