14th May — 16:00 UTC (check local time) 

Jobert Vargas
Postdoctoral researcher in Gipi Schiavo's labs at the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, UK. Speaking from London, UK.

Mechanisms of axonal regeneration in human motor neurons driven by Neurotrophins

Neurotrophic factors, such as BDNF, have long been known to enhance axonal regeneration. However, the key molecular details allowing neurotrophic factors to foster axonal repair of human motor neurons is not well-understood. I will discuss our data showing that BDNF amplifies multiple neuron-intrinsic programs (e.g., coordination of the regeneration-associated gene sets, activation of multiple kinases, and reorganization of the cytoskeleton) to foster axonal regeneration in human iPSC-derived lower motor neurons. I will also discuss requirement of axonal ERK-RSK-S6K pathway in mediating the BDNF-dependent axonal repair, highlighting the role of spatially activated kinases in nerve repair.

13th November — 16:00 UTC (check local time) 

Maurilyn Ayon Olivas
PhD student in the lab of Prof. Michael Sendtner at the Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg. Speaking from Würzburg, Germany.

BDNF dysregulation in a mouse model of DYT-GNAL dystonia  

BDNF is a central regulator of corticostriatal plasticity with a strong impact on motor learning and Parkinson's Disease. We investigated GNAL M137V mutant mice, a novel mouse model of dystonia, and found dysregulation of BDNF that might play a causal role in the pathophysiology of this disease.

11th December — 16:00 UTC (check local time) 

Giulia Borgonovo
Postdoc Fellow in Paolicelli Lab, University of Lausanne. Speaking from Lausanne, Switzerland.

Modulation of the NGF-TrkA signaling impacts microglial phenotype

We studied how NGF modulates microglial phenotype in health and disease, with a focus on its therapeutic potential in neurodegeneration and Rett syndrome.