May 2017 - Neuro-All - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Reminder: MNN Visiting Speaker Dr. Long-Jun Wu - Fri. May 19
by Manitoba Neuroscience Network 15 May '17

15 May '17

cid:image001.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00 S E M I N A R & V I S I T I N G S P E A K E R S E R I E S D AT E Friday, May 19th, 2017 12:00 Noon LO C AT I O N Theatre C image008Long-Jun Wu, Ph.D. <http://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/wu-longjun-long-jun-ph-d/bio-20305064> Associate Professor Department of Neurology, Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic Topic: Microglia-neuron communication in diseased brain (to be followed by a TRAINEE LUNCH in room SR415 **Please encourage all your neuroscience trainees to attend!) Microglia are the principal immune response cells in the central nervous system. Resting microglia constantly survey the microenvironment in the normal brain. Upon brain dysfunction, microglia are activated and exert detrimental or beneficial effects on the surrounding neurons. However, the molecular mechanisms for microglial activation and function in brain diseases are still controversial. The long-term goal of my lab is to understand microglia-neuron communication in the brain. We are interested in fundamental questions on: (1) How microglia sense neuronal activities? (2) How microglia regulate neuronal and synaptic function? (3) What are the molecular mechanisms and functional consequences of microglia activation in brain diseases? To address these questions, we use the combination of two photon deep-brain imaging, electrophysiology, mouse genetics to dissect the role of microglia in neuronal circuits and in brain disorders. These results provide a novel insight on microglial function in brain emostasis and suggest microglia as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of brain diseases such as epilepsy, pain and stroke. For more information contact: Eftekhar Eftekharpour Coordinator - MNN Seminar & Visiting Speaker Series 789-3214 eftekhar.eftekharpour(a)umanitoba.ca Sponsored by: Manitoba Neuroscience Network | Health Sciences Centre | University of Manitoba | St. Boniface Research Centre

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Nick Shepel Trainee Travel Award - Deadline June 30th
by Kelly Jorundson 11 May '17

11 May '17

Nick Shepel Neuroscience Trainee Travel Award Application deadline: June 30th, 2017 The fund was established by the Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, to honor Nick Shepel who was an outstanding researcher, friend and leader. Nick was a true inspiration to his laboratory partners and brought fire, humor, and a desire to always excel. His insistence to always try better has had a permanent effect on his lab mates and peers. Nick led by example and taught that detailed preparation and execution of experiments ensured reliable results. Purpose: The purpose of this fund shall be to recognize a young investigator (specifically in the neuroscience area) by providing an annual award(s) to support travel costs associated with the applicant's attendance at an upcoming national/international conference where the applicant is presenting a poster or oral presentation. This year, the value of the award may range from $300-600. Eligibility: At the time of application - · Students must be registered as a full-time graduate student at a Manitoba university. · A student admitted under the "Provisional Status" may not receive the award during the provisional period. · Amount of award(s) may vary each year. · Students must be giving a poster or oral presentation at an upcoming scientific meeting (national/international) Submission Instructions: A complete application consists of the following: · Introductory letter describing meeting · Copy of abstract · Curriculum vitae · Current GPA, transcripts not needed · Proposed budget of travel costs · Submit your completed application materials to: Paul Fernyhough Director - Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders St. Boniface Hospital Research R4046 - 351 Tache Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 How to apply for reimbursement: Reimbursement will be done in accordance with St. Boniface Hospital travel policies. Only original receipts will be accepted. Copies may be accepted only where proof of submission to another agency is provided. Kelly Jorundson Administrative Manager, Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders St. Boniface Hospital Research Email: kjorund(a)sbrc.ca Tel: 204.235.3939 Fax: 204.237.4092 St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre Room R4046 - 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 CANADA This email and any attachments may contain confidential, personal and/or privileged information intended for a specific individual and purpose. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, retaining, distribution, access, use or modification of the contents of this e-mailed information is strictly prohibited. If you receive this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete or destroy the email message and any attachments or copies.

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MNN Website and Scientific Meeting - CALL FOR ABSTRACTS AND REGISTRATION
by MNN Networking 03 May '17

03 May '17

We are excited to launch PHASE 1 of the new MNN website, now live at www.manitobaneuroscience.ca <http://www.manitobaneuroscience.ca> ! At rollout, the main purpose of the site is to serve as a SFN Winnipeg Chapter membership hub and an information, abstract and registration portal for the upcoming MNN Scientific Meeting. There is limited content now but much more is to follow in PHASE 2. SFN WINNIPEG CHAPTER MEMBERSHIPS: As always, if you are a SFN Winnipeg Chapter member, you are making a valuable contribution to neuroscience networking, outreach and education in Manitoba AND you receive dramatically discounted registration rates for the MNN Scientific Meeting. All 2016 memberships expired on December 31, 2016 and we paused intake of 2017 memberships pending completion of the new website. Starting today, you may purchase a 2017 SFN Chapter membership on the new website by visiting: https://manitobaneuroscience.ca/sfn-chapter-membership/become-a-sfn-chapter- member/. The new link will allow members to create a secure membership account that can be used to manage your membership AND access the member's only MNN meeting registration pricing. You may pay by credit/debit card of University of Manitoba FOP. By popular demand, we are continuing to offer a laboratory all-inclusive membership, in addition to individual memberships. This membership type can be selected by Principal Investigators in the "Regular" Membership category. He or she will be asked to enter each lab member included in the membership. Each person entered will receive an email with a pre-paid lab code that can be used to complete an individual membership account at no cost. PI's will be able to add or delete members at any time by accessing their membership account. MEMBERSHIP inquiries should be sent to membership(a)manitobaneuroscience.ca <mailto:membership@manitobaneuroscience.ca> MNN SCIENTIFIC MEETING: The Scientific Meeting will be held JUNE 16 and is being chaired by Dr. Tabrez Siddiqui. He's planned a fabulous program featuring a visit and talk by Dr. Jeff Lichtman from Harvard University. The website, including current program, is live at https://manitobaneuroscience.ca/events-and-news/annual-scientific-meeting/. Abstracts and registrations are now being accepted. This will be a narrower abstract submission and registration period than in previous years. We apologize for that. Nevertheless, there are still almost 3 weeks until the abstract deadline (MAY 23) and longer until the registration deadline (JUNE 5). We encourage you to visit the site now to submit your abstracts and register for the meeting. SFN Chapter member rates are half those of non-member rates so consider becoming a member first. You may pay by credit card or by University of Manitoba FOP. If you pay by FOP, you will be registered for the meeting immediately but your payment will be pending. Once the FOP payment is processed, you will receive a receipt and confirmation by email. MNN Scientific Meeting inquiries should be sent to mnn2017(a)manitobaneuroscience.ca <mailto:mnn2017@manitobaneuroscience.ca> Finally, any SFN Chapter members who have already renewed for 2017 (there are only a handful at this point) will be contacted with instructions for migration to the new system. Phase 2 of the website will debut soon with a rich array of content, including the ability for principal investigators to create and manage a scientific profile that showcases the depth and breadth of Manitoba neuroscience research to the world. Thank you for your patience. -The MNN Team ****************************************** <http://www.manitobaneuroscience.ca/> <https://www.facebook.com/manitobaneuroscience/?fref=ts> <https://www.instagram.com/manitobaneuroscience/> <https://twitter.com/manitobaneuro>

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MNN Visiting Speaker - Friday May 5 @ 12NOON
by Manitoba Neuroscience Network 03 May '17

03 May '17

cid:image001.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00 S E M I N A R & V I S I T I N G S P E A K E R S E R I E S D AT E Friday, May 5th, 2017 12:00 Noon LO C AT I O N Apotex 071 W. Dalton Dietrich, PhD <http://www.themiamiproject.org/research/faculty/dalton-dietrich/> Scientific Director, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Departments of Neurological Surgery, Neurology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami Topic: New Insights into the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: Current and Future Directions (to be followed by a TRAINEE LUNCH in room SR415 **Please encourage all your neuroscience trainees to attend!) W. Dalton Dietrich, Ph.D., Scientific Director, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Departments of Neurological Surgery, Neurology and Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami FL USA Each year thousands of new spinal cord injuries (SCI) occur throughout the world leading to long-term deficits and serious quality of life issues. Currently, there are millions of people living with the detrimental consequences of SCI that could benefit from reparative strategies to enhance ability and function. Although a large number of exciting preclinical studies have been conducted to test therapeutic interventions, to date no proven therapeutic modality exists that has been demonstrated to significantly improve neurological outcome. This fact emphases the need for continued research on the pathophysiology and treatment of this serious clinical condition. In the area of neuroprotection, our research programs have focused on the beneficial effects of therapeutic hypothermia on reducing multiple secondary injury mechanisms and improving outcomes. Studies conducted in multiple laboratories have now reported that mild reductions in core or spinal cord temperature early after SCI reduce overall histopathological damage and improves long-term functional outcomes. Recently, we have been successful in translating this experimental therapy to severely injured cervical SCI patients using a well described cooling and rewarming strategy. To date, we have cooled over 60 AIS A patients and at 1 year, over 43 percent of patients have converted to incomplete status (AIS B, C). A new randomized multicenter trial to assess the long-term beneficial effects of therapeutic hypothermia on sensory and motor function is now underway. In addition to acute protection, work has also emphasized the use of cell therapies and rehabilitation to improve outcomes by replacing damaged cells or producing a more permissive environment for axonal repair. We have studied the beneficial effects of autologous Schwann cell transplantation in multiple models of SCI. Schwann cell transplantation enhances axonal remyelination, growth promoting factor production and axonal regeneration. We have submitted an IND to the FDA and obtained permission to test autologous human Schwann cell transplantation in SCI. We have completed a dose escalation safety study in subacute patients with severe thoracic SCI. Based on encouraging data, we are now recruiting and transplanting Schwann cells into chronically injured spinal cord subjects that have undergone extensive rehabilitation. In addition, the benefits of neural modulation including transcranial magnetic stimulation that may act synergistically with other treatments are being assessed. Discovery and translational studies continue to provide new knowledge to fuel our future clinical studies and trials. This presentation will review progress in these areas of SCI research and other related topics.

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