Manitoba Neuroscience Network Seminar:  Dr. Gilbert Kirouac

DATE:  Friday, May 27^th, 2011
TIME:  9:00 am
LOCATION:  360  Helen Glass Bldg. (video-linked to Theatre “B”)

TOPIC: “Role of the midline thalamus in emotional arousal”.

Dr. Gilbert Kirouac
Associate Professor
Department of Oral Biology
Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba

Dr. Kirouac’s laboratory is interested in the brain mechanisms that regulate emotions and motivation. They use a combination of tract tracing and immunohistochemistry to identify anatomical connections; in vivo electrophysiology to measure neuron activity; in vivo voltametry to measure neurotransmitter release; and neuropharmacology combined with behavioral tests to understand functional mechanism involved in emotional behavior. His seminar will discuss the emerging role for the paraventricular nucleus of the midline thalamus in the regulation of emotional arousal and negative emotional states following a painful and fear-inducing experience. The possible implications of this research for the development of novel drug treatments for post traumatic stress disorder will also be presented.

For more information, contact the MNN Office at (T) 235.3939 or email: mnn@sbrc.ca

Presented in co-operation with University of Manitoba

Clinical Neuroscience Rounds

An initiative of:

Pharmacology Seminar Series - Dr. Rastegar

Date: 

Friday, May 27, 2011

Time: 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Location: 

A229 Chown Bldg**

** Video-linked to St. Boniface Campus - R1002 SBRC

Dr. Rastegar was the first member of the Regenerative Medicine Program, who joined the University of Manitoba in January 2009 as an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics. She performed her BSc and MSc in Tehran University in Iran. She then moved to Belgium and obtained a "Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies (DEA)" in Biochemistry and Human Cellular Biology (1998) and a PhD degree in Biomedical Sciences (2000) from the "Université Catholiquede Louvain (UCL)” in Brussels. Dr. Rastegar performed her postdoctoral training at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, at the McGill Cancer Centre in Montreal and at the Indiana University Cancer Center, IN, USA.

Title: Understanding the role of Epigenetics in Stem Cell   Neurogenesis and Human Disease

Abstract of research program:  Epigenetics refer to heritable changes in phenotype controlled by mechanisms other than the DNA sequence. Epigenetics play central roles in neuronal development, stem cell differentiation, human disease and cancer. Stem cells have the properties of self-renewal and differentiation into different cell types.  

Dr. Rastegar lab studies the molecular mechanisms of stem cell differentiation by investigating the role of specific genes and epigenetic modifications during embryonic stem cell and neural stem cell neurogenesis. The research program of Dr. Rastegar in Regenerative Medicine addresses fundamental unanswered questions on the genetics and epigenetics of stem cell differentiation. Her research is aimed towards exploring stem cell potential for generating pure populations of specific cell types for cell-based therapy strategies of human disease. 

Dr. Rastegar research program is further focused on the molecular pathophysiology of Rett Syndrome (RTT). RTT is the best-studied form of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), linking epigenetics to neuronal maturation and human disease. RTT is a progressive neurological disorder, which is caused by mutations in the MECP2 gene. Rett Syndrome is the primary cause of mental retardation in females and currently has no efficient treatment. With advanced and cutting edge technologies in neuroscience, gene therapy and stem cell biology, Dr. Rastegar lab aims to develop novel therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders that currently have no treatment such as Rett Syndrome and autism.

DND Neuroscience Seminar Series: Dr. Michael Kawaja
Date:	Friday, June 3, 2011
Time:	12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location:	Theatre C
Dr. Michael Kawaja Professor, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology Queen's University at Kingston Topic: Nerve Growth Factor - The driving force behind sympathetic sprouting. Biosketch:  Dr. Kawaja did his undergraduate studies in biology at Acadia University and completed his doctoral degree in Anatomy at the University of Western Ontario in 1989.  He then went on to have two MRC-funded post-doctoral positions, the first with Dr. Fred Gage at the University of California San Diego, and the second with Dr. John Roder at the Samuel Lunenfeld Institute at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.  In 1993 Dr. Kawaja commenced his MRC-funded scholarship position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Queen's University.  Over the last 17 years he has risen through the ranks of Associate and Full Professor at Queen's.  Dr. Kawaja has held numerous operating grants from CIHR (MRC), Heart and Stroke Foundation, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, and Ontario Mental Ontario Ministry for Research and Innovation.  He has served as a panel member of CIHR Scholarships and continues to serve as a panel member for CIHR Neuroscience "B".  He has also served on a number of peer review panels including those for Alzheimer Society of Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, Ontario Mental Health Foundation, and Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation Early Researcher Awards.  health Foundation.  His research focuses on gaining a greater understanding of the reparative mechanisms in the mammalian central and peripheral nervous systems, as a consequence of injury and disease.

Kelly Jorundson
Administrative Manager - Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders
St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre &

Pharmacology & Therap., University of Manitoba 

R4046 – 351 Taché Avenue
Winnipeg, MB   R2H 2A6  CANADA

'Tel:  204.235.3939   7Fax:  204.237.4092
*Email:  kjorund@sbrc.ca; OR kjorund@yahoo.ca