“Functional imaging of cellular dynamics”

Title: LCAM-FEBS  Advanced course “Functional imaging”
Date: June 2022
Location: LCAM-FNWI, -NKI & -AMC
Contact: Mark Hink
Previous editions: 2015, 2017, 2019 & In the Footsteps of van Leeuwenhoek (bi-annual)
Sponsor:  Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS)

 

Introduction: 

The ability of cells to perceive and correctly respond to their environment is the basis of development, tissue repair, and immunity as well as normal tissue homeostasis. Errors in the interplay, dynamics or localization of the involved molecules are responsible for many diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, and diabetes. By increasing the understanding of the complex interplay between these various components and their dynamics over time the related diseases can be treated more effectively.

 

Because of the recent technological revolution in advanced light microscopy (i.e. functional imaging of molecules, development of caged compounds and biosensors) it is now possible to directly monitor the dynamics of (single) molecules in living cells. Several new microscopy techniques are ideally suited for studying cellular signals but their application remains limited because most biologists have never been introduced to these technologies.

This 6-days advanced microscopy course for experienced graduate students, postdocs and lab technicians integrates theoretical lectures with hands-on experiments and practical experience. National and international experts in the field of microscopy will give an overview of “state-of-the-art” imaging techniques and applications in biological research.

Roughly every two years we organise this 6-days advanced course for 20 PhD students, postdocs, labtechnicians or microscopy facility staff who would like to learn the above mentioned Functional imaging techniques. The last four editions have been sponsored by the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS).