- Neuro-All - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Dr. Patrick Choy Distinguished Lectureship: Dr. Stephen Collins Jan 14th 11am | Theatre A
by Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience 12 Jan '16

12 Jan '16

Everyone is invited..... The Dr. Patrick Choy Distinguished Lecture Dr. Stephen Collins Associate Dean, Research Faculty of Health Sciences McMaster University Microbes, the Gut and the Brain: A bedside to bench approach to understanding functional intestinal disorders Thursday, January 14, 2016 11:00 a.m. Frederic Gaspard Theatre (Theatre A), Basic Medical Sciences Building http://events.umanitoba.ca/EventList.aspx?fromdate=1/14/2016&todate=1/14 /2016&display=Day&type=public&eventidn=11035&view=EventDetails&informati on_id=22762 Kelly Jorundson Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience R4046 - 351 Tache Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 Tel: 204.235.3939 Fax: 204.237.4092 Email: kjorund(a)sbrc.ca OR kjorund(a)yahoo.ca Website: www.sfn-manitoba.ca

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Reminder: Manitoba Neuroscience Network Visiting Speaker Lecture - Dr. Tim Kennedy - Jan 15 3pm
by Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience 11 Jan '16

11 Jan '16

Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2015/2016 Seminar & Visiting Speaker Series Friday, January 15th, 2016| 3:00 p.m. Timothy Kennedy Professor - Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery co-Director - McGill Program in NeuroEngineering Montreal Neurological Institute McGill University TOPIC: Making Connections: New Roles for Netrin-1 and DCC Regulating Myelination, Synaptogenesis, and Plasticity Location: Theatre C, Bannatyne Campus My undergraduate studies were carried out at McMaster University in the Biology and Psychology program. I then trained as a graduate student from 1985 to 1992 in the department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at Columbia University under the supervision of Dr. Eric R. Kandel, investigating molecular mechanisms that underlie learning and memory. During this time, my colleagues and I identified changes in protein and mRNA expression associated with long-term memory formation. Our findings indicated that neuromodulatory changes underlying learning evoke changes in gene expression. From 1992 to 1996 I was a post-doctoral fellow with Dr. Marc Tessier-Lavigne at UCSF. My colleagues and I purified and cloned a family of proteins that we named netrins, which were the first identified long-range chemoattractant axon guidance cues. Netrins perform and essential, highly conserved role, directing axon extension during neural development. In 1996 I opened my laboratory at the Montreal Neurological Institute. We are currently investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie axon extension, myelination, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity. Broadly stated, we are interested in the signals that direct cells and axons to move, and once they reach their goal, the target derived signals that instruct them to stop and sustain an appropriate connection with a neighboring cell. In collaboration with other groups at the MNI, we are studying the significance of these mechanisms to neural development and to neurodegenerative disease. I am also co-director of the McGill Program in NeuroEngineering (www.neuroengineering.ca) which promotes collaboration between neuroscientists, physical scientists, and engineers with the aim of developing new tools to study the nervous system and enhance function following injury or in neurodegenerative disease. Website: https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/research/researchers/kennedy Kelly Jorundson Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience R4046 - 351 Tache Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 Tel: 204.235.3939 Fax: 204.237.4092 Email: kjorund(a)sbrc.ca OR kjorund(a)yahoo.ca Website: www.sfn-manitoba.ca

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Weston Brain Institute - New Funding Opportunity - Canada: Rapid Response 2016
by Chris Anderson 05 Jan '16

05 Jan '16

From: Weston Brain Institute [mailto:neuro@weston.ca] Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2016 12:06 PM Subject: Weston Brain Institute - New Funding Opportunity - Canada: Rapid Response 2016 [cid:image001.jpg@01D07D1A.DDCC4D80] Canada: Rapid Response 2016 Neurodegenerative Diseases of Aging The Weston Brain Institute is delighted to launch our Canada: Rapid Response 2016 program to provide seed funding for novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research. Additional information about the program can be found at http://westonbraininstitute.ca/rapid-response-2016/. NEW for 2016: The program will have 3 application rounds, focused on two different disease groups. Applicants should apply to the group best suited to their project. Each PI may submit one application per round as the Principal Applicant or the Administrative Supervisor. ________________________________ Goal: Provide seed funding for novel, high-risk, high-reward translational research ideas to catalyze the development of safe and effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases of aging Funding: Up to $150,000 over up to 18 months Eligibility: Applicants must be researchers or postdoctoral fellows developing a therapeutic and/or a tool to help accelerate the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging Disease Groups: AD-related diseases: AD, FTD, MCI and prodromals PD-related diseases: PD, PSP, LBD, MSA and prodromals Current Round: Round 1 (AD-related diseases) Program Information Session: Monday, Jan. 25th, 2016 1:00 p.m. EST Letter of Intent Deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 23th, 2016 2:00 p.m. EST Upcoming Rounds: Round 2 (PD-related diseases) Program Information Session: Tuesday, May 24th, 2016 1:00 p.m. EDT Letter of Intent Deadline: Monday, June 27th, 2016 2:00 p.m. EDT Round 3 (AD-related diseases) Program Information Session: Wednesday, July 6th, 2016 1:00 p.m. EDT Letter of Intent Deadline: Thursday, July 28th, 2016 2:00 p.m. EDT ________________________________ Submission of the Letter of Intent is through the Institute’s online grant management system at https://weston.smartsimple.ca/welcome/neuroscience. The Weston Brain Institute will be holding a Program Information Session for this funding opportunity on Monday January 25th, 2016 at 1:00p.m. EST. This session is intended to provide you with comprehensive information on the application process and to provide an opportunity for open questions. To sign-up for the information session and receive the dial in details, as well as submit any questions you may have in advance, please click the link below: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1793756835407375361 The Institute welcomes inquiries about our funding programs at neuro(a)weston.ca<mailto:neuro@weston.ca> or 416-935-4056. Weston Brain Institute This email message is confidential, may be legally privileged and is intended for the exclusive use of the addressee. If you received this message in error or are not the intended recipient, you should destroy the email message and any attachments or copies, and you are prohibited from retaining, distributing, disclosing or using any information contained. Please inform us of the delivery error by return email. Thank you for your cooperation. Le présent message électronique est confidentiel et peut être couvert par le secret professionnel. Il est à l’usage exclusif du destinataire. Si vous recevez ce message par erreur ou si vous n’en êtes pas le destinataire prévu, vous devez détruire le message et toute pièce jointe ou copie et vous êtes tenu de ne pas conserver, distribuer, divulguer ni utiliser tout renseignement qu’il contient. Veuillez nous informer de toute erreur d’envoi en répondant à ce message. Merci de votre collaboration.

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MNN Speaker - Dr. Timothy Kennedy Friday, Jan 15, 2016 *3pm Theatre C
by Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience 16 Dec '15

16 Dec '15

Everyone is invited.... Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2015/2016 Seminar & Visiting Speaker Series Friday, January 15th, 2016 | 3:00 p.m. Timothy Kennedy <https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/research/researchers/kennedy> Professor - Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery co-Director - McGill Program in NeuroEngineering Montreal Neurological Institute McGill University TOPIC: Making Connections: New Roles for Netrin-1 and DCC Regulating Myelination, Synaptogenesis, and Plasticity Location: Theatre C, Bannatyne Campus Visit Dr. Kennedy's Website to learn about his research: https://www.mcgill.ca/neuro/research/researchers/kennedy For more information, please contact the MNN Office at 204.235.3939 The 2015/2016 MNN Seminar & Visiting Speaker Series is funded by: * Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience - Manitoba Neuroscience Network * Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre * Neuroscience Research Program, Health Sciences Centre & University of Manitoba Kelly Jorundson Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience R4046 - 351 Tache Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 Tel: 204.235.3939 Fax: 204.237.4092 Email: kjorund(a)sbrc.ca OR kjorund(a)yahoo.ca Website: www.sfn-manitoba.ca

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Reminder: MNN Visiting Speaker - Friday Dec 11 @ **3pm - Theatre C Dr. Yu Tian Wang
by Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience 08 Dec '15

08 Dec '15

Everyone is invited to attend.... Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2015/2016 Seminar & Visiting Speaker Series Friday, December 11th, 2015 | 3:00 p.m. Yu Tian Wang <http://www.neuroscience.ubc.ca/people/Wang> Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology Chair in Stroke Research University of British Columbia TOPIC: Peptide-based research tools and therapeutics in the post-genome era Location: Theatre C, Bannatyne Campus Research Focus: I have a long-standing research interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating the function and intracellular trafficking of neurotransmitter receptors critical for brain functions such as learning, memory and cognition, and investigating the manner by which these mechanisms may be altered in central nervous disease processes. My goal is to be able to treat central nervous disorders such as stroke, drug addiction, and schizophrenia by designing new therapeutics that specifically target these receptors and their pathways. With particular relevance to this project, we have made a significant impact on stroke research. We discovered that NMDA receptor NR2A and NR2B subunits have respective roles in promoting cell survival and cell death (J. Neurosci. 27:2846, 2007). We have characterized the molecular steps downstream of the NR2B death pathway, and also developed several specific inhibitors to disrupt this pathway and demonstrated their therapeutic potentials in reducing brain damage following stroke (Science 298:846, 2002; JBC 279:41267, 2004; Nature Med. 15:1399, 2009; J. Neurosci. 33:7997, 2013). To translate these basic scientific discoveries into potential therapeutics for brain dysfunctions, I founded, along with five other scientists/clinicians, the NoNO Inc. in Toronto that has recently completed a successful phase 2 clinical trial, demonstrating for the first time a clinically effective neuroprotectant NA-1 (Tat-NR2B9c) in reducing ischemic brain damage (Lancet Neurol 11:942, 2012). Our research expertise spans functionally characterizing synaptic plasticity, biochemically mapping protein-protein interaction sites, and designing specific peptides for use in models of CNS disorders. Kelly Jorundson Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience R4046 - 351 Tache Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 Tel: 204.235.3939 Fax: 204.237.4092 Email: kjorund(a)sbrc.ca OR kjorund(a)yahoo.ca Website: www.sfn-manitoba.ca

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Recall: Reminder: Friday - Dec 4th 9am - MNN Speaker - Dr. Chris Proschel
by Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience 01 Dec '15

01 Dec '15

Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience would like to recall the message, "Reminder: Friday - Dec 4th 9am - MNN Speaker - Dr. Chris Proschel".

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Reminder: Friday - Dec 4th **12noon** - MNN Speaker - Dr. Chris Proschel
by Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience 01 Dec '15

01 Dec '15

Please note lecture starts at 12noon. Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2015/2016 Seminar & Visiting Speaker Series Friday, December 4th, 2015 | 12:00 Noon Christoph J.W. Pröschel <https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/proschel-lab/> Associate Professor of Genetics University of Rochester Medical Center, Department for Biomedical Genetics, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute Pathways of Human Disease Program TOPIC: Glial cell therapy: the opportunity for restoring function by restoring tissue homeostasis. Location: Theatre C, Bannatyne Campus Within the context of our work on glial progenitor cells, we are now focusing on the role of astrocytes as critical modulators in response to injury or stress. The importance of understanding this process is emphasized by our discovery that the generation of mature astrocytes may be impaired in Vanishing White Matter leukodystrophy (Nat Med. 2005 Mar;11(3):277-83.). The ability to study astrocyte development in normal and pathological conditions, provides a unique opportunity to test the utility of glial precursor cells and their astrocytic progeny for cell transplantation therapy in diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as traumatic injury (spinal cord and traumatic brain injury) and neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinsons Disease, Multiple sclerosis). We have identified distinct astrocyte populations that demonstrate different functional properties with respect to their ability to promote injury repair upon transplantation into the injured nervous system. While one type shows little benefit and may even cause neuropathic pain syndrome, the other remodels the injured host tissue, enables axon outgrowth and extensive functional recovery (J Biol 2006 Apr 27, 5(3):7; J Biol 2008 Sep 19;7(7):245). As a prerequisite for the transition to the clinic we are analyzing the factors secreted by these astrocytes and have now derived homologous astrocyte populations from human precursor cells. (PLoS One. 2011 Mar 2;6(3)). For more information, contact the MNN Office at (T) 235.3939 or email: mnn(a)sbrc.ca

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Reminder: Friday - Dec 4th 9am - MNN Speaker - Dr. Chris Proschel
by Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience 01 Dec '15

01 Dec '15

Everyone is invited... Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2015/2016 Seminar & Visiting Speaker Series Friday, December 4th, 2015 | 12:00 Noon Christoph J.W. Pröschel <https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/proschel-lab/> Associate Professor of Genetics University of Rochester Medical Center, Department for Biomedical Genetics, Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Institute Pathways of Human Disease Program TOPIC: Glial cell therapy: the opportunity for restoring function by restoring tissue homeostasis. Location: Theatre C, Bannatyne Campus Within the context of our work on glial progenitor cells, we are now focusing on the role of astrocytes as critical modulators in response to injury or stress. The importance of understanding this process is emphasized by our discovery that the generation of mature astrocytes may be impaired in Vanishing White Matter leukodystrophy (Nat Med. 2005 Mar;11(3):277-83.). The ability to study astrocyte development in normal and pathological conditions, provides a unique opportunity to test the utility of glial precursor cells and their astrocytic progeny for cell transplantation therapy in diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), such as traumatic injury (spinal cord and traumatic brain injury) and neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinsons Disease, Multiple sclerosis). We have identified distinct astrocyte populations that demonstrate different functional properties with respect to their ability to promote injury repair upon transplantation into the injured nervous system. While one type shows little benefit and may even cause neuropathic pain syndrome, the other remodels the injured host tissue, enables axon outgrowth and extensive functional recovery (J Biol 2006 Apr 27, 5(3):7; J Biol 2008 Sep 19;7(7):245). As a prerequisite for the transition to the clinic we are analyzing the factors secreted by these astrocytes and have now derived homologous astrocyte populations from human precursor cells. (PLoS One. 2011 Mar 2;6(3)). For more information, contact the MNN Office at (T) 235.3939 or email: mnn(a)sbrc.ca

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MNN Visiting Speaker - Dec 11 @ 3pm - Theatre C Dr. Yu Tian Wang
by Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience 27 Nov '15

27 Nov '15

Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2015/2016 Seminar & Visiting Speaker Series Friday, December 11th, 2015 | 3:00 p.m. Yu Tian Wang <http://www.neuroscience.ubc.ca/people/Wang> Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology Chair in Stroke Research University of British Columbia TOPIC: Peptide-based research tools and therapeutics in the post-genome era Location: Theatre C, Bannatyne Campus Research Focus: I have a long-standing research interest in understanding the molecular mechanisms responsible for regulating the function and intracellular trafficking of neurotransmitter receptors critical for brain functions such as learning, memory and cognition, and investigating the manner by which these mechanisms may be altered in central nervous disease processes. My goal is to be able to treat central nervous disorders such as stroke, drug addiction, and schizophrenia by designing new therapeutics that specifically target these receptors and their pathways. With particular relevance to this project, we have made a significant impact on stroke research. We discovered that NMDA receptor NR2A and NR2B subunits have respective roles in promoting cell survival and cell death (J. Neurosci. 27:2846, 2007). We have characterized the molecular steps downstream of the NR2B death pathway, and also developed several specific inhibitors to disrupt this pathway and demonstrated their therapeutic potentials in reducing brain damage following stroke (Science 298:846, 2002; JBC 279:41267, 2004; Nature Med. 15:1399, 2009; J. Neurosci. 33:7997, 2013). To translate these basic scientific discoveries into potential therapeutics for brain dysfunctions, I founded, along with five other scientists/clinicians, the NoNO Inc. in Toronto that has recently completed a successful phase 2 clinical trial, demonstrating for the first time a clinically effective neuroprotectant NA-1 (Tat-NR2B9c) in reducing ischemic brain damage (Lancet Neurol 11:942, 2012). Our research expertise spans functionally characterizing synaptic plasticity, biochemically mapping protein-protein interaction sites, and designing specific peptides for use in models of CNS disorders. Kelly Jorundson Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience R4046 - 351 Tache Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 Tel: 204.235.3939 Fax: 204.237.4092 Email: kjorund(a)sbrc.ca OR kjorund(a)yahoo.ca Website: www.sfn-manitoba.ca

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Reminder: MNN Seminar Friday Nov 27th @ 9am - Saeid Ghavami
by Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience 25 Nov '15

25 Nov '15

Manitoba Neuroscience Network 2015/2016 Seminar/Visiting Speaker Series Friday, November 27th, 2015 | 9:00 am SAEID GHAVAMI <http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/health_sciences/medicine/units/anatomy/8827.h…> Assistant Professor - Department of Human Anatomy & Cell Science, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences University of Manitoba TOPIC: “Targeting Mevalonate Cascade: A New Advancement in Glioblastoma Therapeutic Approach?” Location: PX236/238 PsychHealth Bldg. In past 10 years, my research has been focused on developing new therapeutic approaches in lung cancer, cardiopulmonary diseases, and infection disease based on modification of apoptosis, autophagy, and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. My long-term research plan will be built based on the following major topics: Role of Autophagy and UPR in Regulation of Transforming Growth Factor beta 1 (TGF-1)-induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Lung Cancer Model: In the first step autophagy and UPR will be modulated in breast cancer cell lines (chemical inhibitors and targeting ATG genes and UPR related genes with shRNA) and TGF-1-induced EMT will be investigated. The cross talk between EMT related transcription factors and UPR related transcription factors would be also investigated. In the second phase, lung cancer animal model will be used and UPR/Autophagy pathway would be specifically targeted using nanoparticle packed autophagy/UPR inhibitors and EMT/metastasis will be investigated in presence of different inhibitors. Our long-term goal in this project will be decreasing metastasis in lung cancer using novel strategies by targeting autophagy/UPR pathways. Targeting Mevalonate Cascade as New Approach for Breast Cancer Therapeutic Strategies: Mevalonate cascade is an essential pathway in many living organisms, which is responsible for cholesterol biosynthesis while also, provides prenyl functional groups for protein prenylation. Both cholesterol and prenylated proteins are recently identified as important targets in many cancers. My group will investigate the functions of mevaloante cascade in different breast cancer. We will focus on application of different statins (HMGCoA inhibitors), geranylgeranyl transferase, and farensyl transferase inhibitors as new tools to target breast cancer. Our research will be focused on the effects of these inhibitors on apoptosis/autophagy/UPR in breast cancer model. We will use both in vitro and in vivo model for our investigation. Modulation of Influenza Virus Replication by Targeting Apoptosis/Autophagy/UPR: Influenza viruses are common pathogens of the upper respiratory tract and a substantial disease burden worldwide. It has been reported that seasonal epidemics influence about 15% of the world’s population and could cause a significant morbidity and mortality. In the recent years immunization strategies have been developed against influenza viruses infection and is considered as of one the most effective way to protect against the infection, but the vaccine’s effectiveness is mainly depends on the match with the prevalent viral strain(s) in a given year. There are also reports of increasing numbers of drug resistant flu strains further highlights a need to identify new anti-influenza strategies. I have recently initiated a preliminary investigation about the role of cell death pathway in influenza virus replication (H1N1). Now I want to continue this line of research and investigate the possibility of the suppressing influenza virus replication by modulation apoptosis/autophagy, or autophagy/ER-stress cross talk and hopefully could provide a new therapeutic strategy for influenza virus infections. For more information, contact the MNN Office at (T) 235.3939 or email: mnn(a)sbrc.ca Kelly Jorundson Winnipeg Chapter Society for Neuroscience R4046 - 351 Tache Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 Tel: 204.235.3939 Fax: 204.237.4092 Email: kjorund(a)sbrc.ca OR kjorund(a)yahoo.ca Website: www.sfn-manitoba.ca

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