Genetics and Brain Development

An advanced-level course by EPFLx

Course Description

"Genetics and Brain Development" is an advanced-level course offered by EPFLx that delves into the fascinating world of neurogenetics and brain development. This multidisciplinary course bridges the gap between genetics, neuroscience, and big data, offering students a comprehensive understanding of how genes, proteins, cells, and large networks of cells contribute to brain function and development. By integrating knowledge from experimental and theoretical approaches, the course provides a holistic view of the brain, exploring complex phenomena such as reading ability from multiple perspectives.

What Students Will Learn

  • Principles of neurogenetics and brain development
  • Introduction to genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics
  • Applications of these fields in neuroscience research
  • Understanding of gene expression, genetic variation, and epigenetics
  • Embryonic development and the birth of the nervous system
  • Methods and tools used in genetics research
  • Gene therapy applications in the nervous system
  • Introduction to big data analysis in neuroscience
  • Basics of modeling in neuroscience
  • How to use brain atlases and brain modeling tools

Pre-requisites

This course is designed for individuals with a basic understanding of cell biology. Students should be eager to learn about brain function from a broad biological perspective.

Course Coverage

  • Basics of gene expression
  • Genetic variation, gene networks, and epigenetics
  • Genome, epigenome, and transcriptome analysis
  • Embryonic development overview
  • Formation of the nervous system
  • Genetic research methods and tools
  • Gene therapy applications in neuroscience
  • Introduction to big data in neuroscience
  • Neuroscience modeling techniques

Who This Course Is For

  • Biology and neuroscience students looking to expand their knowledge
  • Researchers interested in multidisciplinary approaches to brain study
  • Healthcare professionals seeking to understand genetic influences on brain function
  • Data scientists interested in applying their skills to neuroscience
  • Anyone fascinated by the intersection of genetics and brain development

Real-World Applications

  • Conducting cutting-edge neuroscience research
  • Developing innovative medical technologies and therapies
  • Advancing personalized medicine based on genetic factors
  • Analyzing large-scale neuroscience datasets
  • Creating more accurate brain models for various applications
  • Contributing to gene therapy advancements for neurological disorders
  • Enhancing diagnostic tools for brain-related conditions
  • Collaborating on interdisciplinary projects in neuroscience and genetics

Syllabus

Week 1: Basics of gene expression
Week 2: Genetic variation, gene networks and epigenetics
Week 3: Genome, epigenome and transcriptome
Week 4: Overview of embryonic development
Week 5: The birth of the nervous system
Week 6: Methods and tools in genetics
Week 7: Gene therapy in the nervous system
Week 8: Introduction to big data
Week 9: Introduction to modeling in neuroscience

Course Conclusion

This comprehensive course offers a unique opportunity to learn from top scientists in the field and gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge research databases and learning resources. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to integrate vast amounts of neuroscience data, potentially contributing to groundbreaking innovations in medical technologies and therapies.