Internacionais

Ementa/tópicos abordados:

We are i) defining the Ca2+ signalling “toolkit” (channels, transporters) of acidic Ca2+ stores at the molecular level and their evolutionary origins (form), ii) probing their physiological roles in processes such as membrane trafficking and cell migration (function) and iii) investigating how deviant signalling through these organelles can precipitate disorders such as Parkinson disease (failure).

Approach: Our course is interdisciplinary, encompassing both “wet” (molecular, cell and structural biology) and “dry” (bioinformatics, phylogenetics and computational modelling) approaches in a highly collaborative and international context.

Ementa:

Proposal: In this course, key papers published by Dr. Slack will be discussed. Dr. Slack works as a researcher at Harvard Medical School and his main research interest has been the roles of microRNAs and their targets in development, aging and cancer for novel medical applications. He is an expert in the biology of non-coding RNAs. Therefore, those who wish to deepen their knowledge in the world of RNA, especially in the tumorigenic process, will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and to learn with the work of this remarkable researcher, over two days in August 2019. Goal: To increase the knowledge related to the RNA world, as well as to discuss advances and challenges regarding the use of molecular mechanisms modulating RNAs in clinical practice, especially for oncology.

Ementa/tópicos abordados:

Proposal:  Increasing evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from tumor cells play a key role in the overall progression of the disease state. EVs such as exosomes are secreted by a wide variety of cells and transport a varied population of proteins, lipids, DNA, and RNA species within the body. Cancer exosomes have emerged as biological mediators in cancer contributing to major steps of disease progression: modulation of immune response, tumor microenvironment reprogramming and metastasis. Dr. Ana Rita da Costa Pinto is Junior Researcher at Genetic Dynamics of Cancer Cells Group at The Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP). She is an expert in the biology of cancer exosomes and stem cells. In this course, we will have the opportunity to learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of the biology of the exosomes with this remarkable researcher.

Ementa/tópicos abordados:

Palestra 1: Aldosterone-sensitive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract: bidirectional connections with the central nucleus of the amygdala. Palestra 2: Aldosterone-Sensing Neurons in the NTS Exhibit State-Dependent Pacemaker Activity and Drive Sodium Appetite via Synergy with Angiotensin II Signaling - Part I. Palestra 3: Título: Aldosterone-Sensing Neurons in the NTS Exhibit State-Dependent Pacemaker Activity and Drive Sodium Appetite via Synergy with Angiotensin II Signaling - Part II

Ementa/tópicos abordados:

The course will be offered in English and the main objective is to discuss the importance of renal afferent mechanisms regarding the control of the cardiovascular and renal systems under normal and pathophysiological conditions, with emphasis on arterial hypertension. Prof. Mark Knuepfer, Professor of Pharmacology and Physiolgy - St. Louis University - USA- has extensive experience in the field and during the course he will discuss and present techniques related to the theme in collaboration with other Professors of the Postgraduate Program in Pharmacology. The role of specific receptors located in the renal pelvis will be the main focus of the course.

CELL DEATH AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Ementa/tópicos abordados:

The goal of this course is to transmit to the students the basic concepts about the molecular control of apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis and their impact on the immune system. We will discuss the role of the different forms of cell death during the ontogeny of the immune system, the regulation of the immune response and the implication to inflammatory responses, particularly the importance of cell death to the control of infectious diseases.

For many years, the phenomenon of cell death was neglected by the scientific community in favor of other biological processes such as activation, proliferation and differentiation. However, the area of cell death biology was massively developed in the last couple of decades and is responsible for the characterization of novel molecules and transduction pathways, contributing to the understanding of fundamental concepts about immune privilege, tolerance and autoimmunity, regulation of inflammatory processes, cytotoxicity, graft rejection and immune response to infections and tumors. In recent years, many advances to the knowledge of cell death processes were achieved. Today, we know that, in addition to the programmed cell death called apoptosis, other processes also regulated molecularly, have been described. However, unlike apoptosis, which essentially is a non-inflammatory form of cell death, necroptosis and pyroptosis are pro-inflammatory forms of cell death that participate actively to the control of infections and tumors. In this course, we intend to discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of different cell death processes, their consequences for the immune response and potential therapeutic applications.                                                                                                                                                       

Lecture #1 – Historical view and basic concepts on programmed cell death

Date: 01/03/2021, Monday das 8:00-9:50 

Speaker: Seamus Martin

Lecture #2 – Apoptosis and tumor biology

Date: 01/03/2021, Monday das 10:10-12:00

Speaker: Cristina Muñoz-Pinedo

Lecture #3 – Inflammasomes and molecular regulation of pyroptosis

Date: 02/03/2021, Tuesday das 8:00-9:50 

Speaker: Petr Broz

Lecture #4 – Necroptosis and other alternative forms of regulated cell death

Date: 02/03/2021, Tuesday das 10:10-12:00

Speaker: Peter Vandenabeele

Lecture #5 – Cell death regulation of Central & Peripheral Tolerance 

Date: 03/03/2021, Wednesday das 8:00-9:50 

Speaker: Verena Labi

Lecture #6 – Recognition of dying cells and consequence for inflammation

Date: 03/03/2021, Wednesday das 10:10-12:00

Speaker: Jennifer Martinez

Lecture #7 – Immunogenic x non-immunogenic cell death

Date: 04/03/2021, Thursday das 8:00-9:50 

Speaker: 

Lecture #8 – Control of infections by cell death processes

Date: 04/03/2021, Wednesday das 10:10-12:00

Speaker: Thirumala Kanneganti

Lecture #9 – Guidelines for cell death analysis and quantification

Date: 05/03/2021, Friday das 8:00-9:50 

Speaker: 

Lecture #10 – Therapeutic strategies targeting cell death pathways 

Date: 05/03/2021, Friday das 10:10-12:00

Speaker: Domagoj Vucic

V – TEACHING STRATEGIES

• Online lectures with specialist in the field;

• Journal Clubs presented by students;

• Group discussion about concepts, experimental strategies and scientific open questions

• Journal Club presentation 40% da nota

• Final Report 40% da nota

• Participation on online discussion 20% da nota

We will accept a maximum number of 15 students, who should be interviewed or submit CV for assessment, as part of the selection process. This course may benefit from the participation of a foreign professor and will be given in English. Therefore, proficiency in English must be provided at the time of registration and/or during interview.  

NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED FOR STUDYING CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES/DISORDERS

Objetivos: O curso pretende apresentar metodologias avançadas empregadas nos estudos de diversas doenças e transtornos do sistema nervoso central (incluindo esquizofrenia, depressão, ansiedade, transtorno bipolar, autismo, esclerose lateral amiotrófica, brain, cancer, dentre outras), englobando diversos aspectos, como tecnologias e estratégias inovadoras utilizadas para avaliar as alterações no SNC e para a geração das teorias mais atualizadas sobre a etiologia das doenças que afetam o cérebro. O curso será ministrado totalmente em inglês por diversos professores de diferentes universidades
internacionais renomadas, e espera-se que os alunos tenham contato com as
pesquisas realizadas em outros países, proporcionando uma visão ampla de como os
estudos com SNC estão sendo conduzidos em diversos laboratórios fora do Brasil.

Ementa:
● 28/09 (2 PM) - Rodrigo Mansur (University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada) - Contemporary
challenges in mental disorders: definitions and classifications;
● 01/10 (9 AM) - Vincent Vialou (University of Sorbonne in Paris, France) - Hevin in mooddisorders (DREADDs, in vivo fiber photometry of genetically encoded calcium indicators, AAV-mediated RNA interference using designed microRNA);
● 06/10 (2 PM) - Steven Boeynaems (Stanford University, CA, USA) - New insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) [employs CRISPRCas9 and other molecular biology techniques];
● 08/10 (9 AM) - Nick Bradshaw (University of Rijeka, Croatia) - Proteinopaties in mental disorders (aggregopathies) [mainly based on protein chemistry and biochemistry];
● 13/10 (2 PM) - Richard Lee (Johns Hopkins University, MA, USA) - Role of the HPA axis and the neuroendocrine system in psychiatric disorders, including molecular substrates of addiction to drugs and alcohol (employ both candidate and genome-wide approaches to identify and characterize gene targets and pathways in both rodents and humans using tools and techniques of epigenetics);

● 15/10 (9 AM) - Matheus Fonseca (Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory (LNBio), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials(CNPEM)) - Molecular Neurobiology of Intellectual Disability and Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease [employs synchrotron-based Xray microtomography for neural tissues];
● 20/10 (2 PM) - Alysson Muotri (Director of the Stem Cell Program, Institute for Genomic Medicine, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, USA) - iPSC and organoids for studies in autism;
● 22/10 (9 AM) - Jocelien Olivier (Associate Professor in Neurobiology, GELIFES, University of Groningen) - Antidepressant use during pregnancy: (neuro)biological effects in rat mother and offspring (serotonin transport knockout rat as an advanced animal model for depression);
● 27/10 (2 PM) - Elisa Brietzke (Queen's University School of Medicine, Kingston, ON, Canada) - Inflammatory biomarkers in mental disorders;
● 29/10 (9 AM) - Lucie Sancey (Institut Albert Bonniot, RENOVATE Consortium, Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes, France) - Optical imaging techniques in preclinical studies (in vivo imaging, thérapie ciblée, diagnostic précoce et imagerie du cancer);

O curso inclui aulas teóricas e a participação dos alunos, por meio de discussão dos temas de cada aula, leitura e análise crítica do material complementar e apresentação de questões para os palestrantes após cada aula teórica. As aulas serão exclusivamente ministradas na língua inglesa.

Avaliação: A avaliação dos alunos será baseada na frequência e participação nas discussões.
Será solicitado para cada aluno que prepare pelo menos uma pergunta para os palestrantes. A avaliação será baseada na formulação da pergunta, levando em consideração a adequação ao tema da aula.

PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES IN NEUROSCIENCE

This course will link neuroscience to the pharmacological treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. The aim of the course is to provide advanced knowledge in advanced and modern methods in the fields and provides a neurobiological framework for understanding human behavior and the molecular mechanism underlying some psychiatric and neurological disorders. Special emphasis will be given to schizophrenia, drug abuse and depression

COURSE TOPICS:

• Molecular pharmacology
• Neural circuitry
• Pre-clinical models

CLASSES AND ACTIVIES

TEACHING APPROACHES AND METHODOLOGY:

• The lecture classes will be developed according to the following strategies: expository lessons, seminars, scheduled readings (directed study) and discussion in the classroom. 
• Student seminar

STUDENT EVALUATION METHODS:

• Seminar presentation
• Attendance to the lectures and active participation.

 REFERENCES:

• Psychopharmacology, Meyer & Quenzer, Editora Sinauer, 2ª edição
• NESTLER, E. J. Molecular neuropharmacology: a foundation for clinical neuroscience. 2ª ed. 2009 
• KANDEL, E. R. Principles of Neural Science, Fifth Edition
• Scientific Articles