The ability to express light-sensitive membrane channels (optogenetics) and synthetic receptors (pharmacogenetics) in neurons is revolutionizing neuroscience. With these new approaches, investigators can control neuronal activity or signaling with unprecedented specificity and precision. These methods are within the reach of most investigators, and are replacing less selective techniques of electrical stimulation, lesions or pharmacologic manipulations. These approaches are not only a boon to basic researchers, but also have substantial potential for development of novel clinical treatments for a range of nervous system disorders. The 2-day meeting will feature the originators (Deisseroth, Roth and Conklin) as well as early adopters of these methods, validating their utility in understanding neural function and potential for treating neural dysfunction.
Topics List
Abstracts are invited for poster presentation at the conference on the following suggested topics:

• Opsin channels: constructs and functions
• Synthetic receptors: constructs and functions
• Viral transduction to drive expression of opsins and synthetic receptors
• Challenges and opportunities for applying opsins or synthetic receptors in research animals and in the clinic
• Advantages/disadvantages of opsins vs synthetic receptors in research and in the clinic
• Clinical applications (e.g., PD, Blindness, Spinal injury, DBS and TMS)
Conference Organizers
Gary Aston-Jones, Medical University of South Carolina, USA
Karl Deisseroth, Stanford University, California
Keynote Speaker
Karl Deisseroth, Stanford University, USA
For more information, visit: http://www.brainresearchconference.com

Keywords:

Optogenetics
Pharmacogenetics
Channelrhodopsin
Halorhodopsin
Archerhodopsin
Photostimulation
Designer receptors activated exclusively by designer drugs (DREADDs)
Receptors activated selectively by synthetic ligands (RASSLs)
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs)
Intracellular signaling mechanisms
Neuronal stimulation
Neuronal inhibition
Brain circuits