Course teacher(s)
Jean-Marie VANDERWINDEN (Coordinator), Alban DE KERCHOVE D'EXAERDE, David GALL and Hugo LevillainECTS credits
5
Language(s) of instruction
english
Course content
Photonic imaging for cellular and molecular functional imaging. Photons: Photon detection, principles of conventional microscopy – photon recording, CCD camera, confocal microscopy. Biological material : fixed tissues and cells, in vitro tissues and cells, intravital microscopy. The markers : immunolabelling, chemical compounds, fluorescent proteins. Dynamic molecular methods : FRAP, FRET, BRET, photoactivation.
Neuroimaging:understanding the physical basis of functional and molecular medical imaging (MRI and nuclear medicine): structural, functional and molecular mapping of the brain - the processes involved in functional, metabolic or molecular neuroimaging. And the different existing tracers based on these principles. - Learn to quantify a medical image: identify the main physico-chemical parameters that modulate the imaging signal and measure them for the main imaging modalities - Applications to neurological diseases.
Experimental strategies to study neurotransmission and intracellular signalling. Molecular and cellular approaches: genetic targeting of neuronal populations, cellular and circuits characterizations. Electrophysiological approaches: extracellular recordings, patch-clamp technique on acute brain slices, multielectroderecordings, voltammetry. In vivo approaches: optogenetic, chemogenetic, Calcium imaging.
Neuroimaging:understanding the physical basis of functional and molecular medical imaging (MRI and nuclear medicine): structural, functional and molecular mapping of the brain - the processes involved in functional, metabolic or molecular neuroimaging. And the different existing tracers based on these principles. - Learn to quantify a medical image: identify the main physico-chemical parameters that modulate the imaging signal and measure them for the main imaging modalities - Applications to neurological diseases.
Experimental strategies to study neurotransmission and intracellular signalling. Molecular and cellular approaches: genetic targeting of neuronal populations, cellular and circuits characterizations. Electrophysiological approaches: extracellular recordings, patch-clamp technique on acute brain slices, multielectroderecordings, voltammetry. In vivo approaches: optogenetic, chemogenetic, Calcium imaging.
Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)
The objective of the course is to provide basic concepts in order to understand and apply the main techniques of in vitro functional imaging, photonic cellular and molecular imaging, and in vivo neuroimaging.
On completion of the course students∙e∙s will be able to comprehensively describe the basic principles of the main in vivo functional and molecular imaging techniques. To explain the physical principles behind MRI, SPECT and PET imagers and their main modes of operation. To justify the choice of a radiotracer, and to establish the characteristics of the main radioisotopes used.
Students∙e∙s will be able to explain the concepts of metabolic imaging, receptors and synthetic pathways in brain imaging.Define the two types of quantification: absolute vs. relative. State the different parameters that have an impact on the quantification of SPECT and PET images and how to correct them. Outline the different image analyses.
Finally, students∙e∙s will be able to explain the applications of functional and molecular imaging in various neurological diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy, cancers). Explain the differential contribution of various imaging techniques to different neurological conditions.
Neurotransmitters act by modifying permeability of ionic channels and by activating multiple intracellular signalling pathways, therefore modifying activity of neuronal networks on a short- and long-time scale.
This course aims at students already mastering the concepts of basic neurosciences presented in the Bachelor part of their cursus.
This course presents trending topics in neurosciences and the related methods which allow their study.
Examples of physiopathological situations, due to alterations in neurotransmission and cell signaling are also discussed.
On completion of the course students∙e∙s will be able to comprehensively describe the basic principles of the main in vivo functional and molecular imaging techniques. To explain the physical principles behind MRI, SPECT and PET imagers and their main modes of operation. To justify the choice of a radiotracer, and to establish the characteristics of the main radioisotopes used.
Students∙e∙s will be able to explain the concepts of metabolic imaging, receptors and synthetic pathways in brain imaging.Define the two types of quantification: absolute vs. relative. State the different parameters that have an impact on the quantification of SPECT and PET images and how to correct them. Outline the different image analyses.
Finally, students∙e∙s will be able to explain the applications of functional and molecular imaging in various neurological diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy, cancers). Explain the differential contribution of various imaging techniques to different neurological conditions.
Neurotransmitters act by modifying permeability of ionic channels and by activating multiple intracellular signalling pathways, therefore modifying activity of neuronal networks on a short- and long-time scale.
This course aims at students already mastering the concepts of basic neurosciences presented in the Bachelor part of their cursus.
This course presents trending topics in neurosciences and the related methods which allow their study.
Examples of physiopathological situations, due to alterations in neurotransmission and cell signaling are also discussed.
Prerequisites and Corequisites
Required and corequired courses
Teaching methods and learning activities
Ex cathedra lectures, demonstrations of techniques, analysis of research articles
Contribution to the teaching profile
The course contribute to the education in neurosciences by bringing knowledge on synaptic functioning, role of neurotransmitters and electrophysiological techniques.
It brings also knowledge necessary to implement and understand in vitro and in vivo imaging methods used in biomedical sciences.
References, bibliography, and recommended reading
partim photonic imaging:
http://limif.ulb.be - the Light Microscopy Facility, Faculté de Médecine Campus Erasme
Course notes
- Université virtuelle
Other information
Campus
Erasme
Evaluation
Method(s) of evaluation
- Oral examination
Oral examination
Presentation and critical discussion of a research article.
Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)
The UE marks = arithmetic mean (without ponderation) of the respective marks for each UA.
In case of marks <10/20, the lowest marks will be the final marks for the entire UE, irrespective of the other marks.
For any UA with marks <10/20, exam must be retaken.
UA marks 10/20 or higher might be passed from one academic year to the next year, upon request to the respective teachers.
Language(s) of evaluation
- english
- french