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

Long-Jun Wu, Ph.D.

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.

Kelly Jorundson
Coordinator, Membership & Operations
Manitoba Neuroscience Network

Email:  kjorund@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.
******************************************