2020-2021 / NEUR0432-1

Complement of neurobiology

Duration

20h Th, 10h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in biomedicine (120 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Second part of the course on cellular and molecular neurobiology This course focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the nervous system.
Ten chapters cover some of the most recently described aspects of the following steps of brain development: - Neural and mesodermal induction - Polarity and regionalization of the nervous system - Neural stem cells - Cellular determination - Neuronogenesis - Neuronal migration - Trophicity and programmed cell death - Axonogenesis and axonal guidance - Innervation and synaptogenesis - Synaptic elimination

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of this course the student will master the following proficiencies :
1. He will understand how the embryonic neuroepithelium is induced and then partitioned between future divisions of the nervous system, he will know how the plasticity of gene expression, mechanisms of intercellular signaling and of intrinsic differentiation of cells contribute to the polarization and the delineation of future parts of the brain, he will apprehend the evolutionary history of the nervous system through a comparative approach in invertebrates and vertebrates.
2. He will understand how cell populations are generated in their various forms and functional roles, he will know the general principles of cell signaling and gene regulation underlying their determination and diversity.
3. He will understand how the proliferation and selective death of neural progenitor cells, their mode of locomotion and targeted migration, the guided axonal growth and the establishment and pruning of synaptic connections contribute to the formation of neural circuits.
4. He will know how topographic maps of synaptic contacts are formed and how the functional properties of neuronal circuits appear, he will understand how patterns of neuronal connectivity are refined by the sensory and motor functions during later development.
5. He will know the peculiarities of the development of the cerebral cortex in humans.
6. Through various readings,he will be able to critically evaluate experiences and concepts in the literature.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Neuro430-1

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

10 2h lectures

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

face-to-face

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Recommended or required readings

Updated versions of each chapter are available in pdf format on MyULg at the time of teaching
the books "Building Brains" by David J. Price et al. published by Wiley-Blackwell and "Development of the Nervous System" by DAn H. Sanes et al. may be worthwhile but definitely not mandatory readings.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

oral examination. Each student prepares during 20 min three questions on the different chapters and then exposes his/her answers in front of the teacher.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

see french version

Contacts

Pierre Leprince GIGA-Neuroscience Université de Liège CHU B36 B-4000 Liège Belgique Tél: 32 4 366 59 32 FAX: 32 4 366 59 12 pleprince@ulg.ac.be