Quantitative and qualitative studies of behaviour are fundamental in our effort to understand brain function and malfunction. Recently, the techniques for studying behaviour, along with those for monitoring and manipulating neural activity during behaviour, have progressed rapidly. Our summer course aims at providing promising young scientists with a comprehensive introduction to state-of-the-art techniques in quantitative behavioural analysis.
This 3-week course is a practical hands-on introduction to advanced methods in behavioural tracking and analysis and will cover sufficient background such that all participants will be able to establish these techniques in their home laboratories.
The course is organized in 3 blocks. During the first block, the students will use Drosophila fruit flies as a model organism to demonstrate how modern technology (e.g. video tracking, virtual reality, automation, optogenetics, etc.) can be used for quantitative behavioral experiments.
In the second block, students will use zebrafish, flies and rodents to demonstrate how new quantitative analysis methods (unsupervised and supervised ethograms, machine learning, mathematical modelling, etc) can be used to tackle questions about behavior and brain function.
In the third block, students will deploy these new skills to design and implement a week long research project of their choice that consolidates this new knowledge, culminating in presentations of their findings. The extended project will offer an opportunity for the participants to undertake novel state-of-the-art research supervised by international experts in the field.
Applications will be assessed by a committee, with selection being based on the following criteria: the scientific promise of the candidate (CV), evidence that the course will afford substantial benefit to the candidate (motivation letter), and the recommendation letters, as well as an overall balance of scientific background, gender.
More information on the Cajal advanced neuroscience training programme here.