301323 VO Cell type-specific features of the Nervous System (2026S)

Abstract: This lecture series will focus on cell type-specific mechanisms and cell differentiation. It will take place in 4 parts:

Monday May 4th - 9:00-12:00 Part 1: "Development of CNS specific cell types" by Dmitrii Kamenev
This lecture will provide an overview of the processes that drive the development of CNS-specific cell types, with focus on how neural progenitors differentiate into diverse neurons and glial cells. Key topics will include the role of signaling pathways, transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic modifications in cell fate specification. The lecture will also introduce techniques, such as lineage tracing, organoid models, and single-cell technologies, to study these mechanisms. We will discuss how disruptions in these processes can lead to neurological disorders, offering a foundation for understanding the complexity of CNS development and its relevance to health and disease.

Monday May 4th - 13:00-16:00 Part 2: "Development and Plasticity of Cell Types in Peripheral Nervous System" by Mona Christensen
During this lecture we discuss the discovery of neural crest cells and their essential role in forming the diverse cell types of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). We will review the early embryological experiments that first identified the neural crest as a transient, migratory, and multipotent progenitor cell population. We will then examine how these cells differentiate into peripheral neurons and glial cells, emphasizing the mechanisms that regulate their migration, fate specification, and maturation. Finally, we take a look at how disruptions in neural crest development result in a spectrum of congenital disorders collectively known as neurocristopathies.

Tuesday May 5th - 9:00-12:00 Part 3: "The functional versatility of human Schwann cells in regeneration and disease" by Tamara Weiss
The functional versatility of human Schwann cells in regeneration and disease" by Tamara Weiss: The regenerative potential of the peripheral nervous system is largely dependent on the ability of Schwann cells to adopt a specialized repair phenotype. This lecture will provide insight into the temporal dynamics and functional diversity of repair Schwann cells, with a particular emphasis on human models. Students will also learn about the neuritogenic, phagocytic, and immunomodulatory capacities of human Schwann cells, which extend beyond established concepts of repair function. We will discuss how these capacities are reshaping current views of Schwann cell biology in regeneration and disease, and explore their implications for therapeutic strategies.

Tuesday May 5th - 13:00-16:00 Part 4: "Modern methods to study the diversity of cell types in developing and adult nervous system" by Igor Adameyko
The lectures will provide an in-depth exploration of cutting-edge techniques and methodologies used to analyze cellular diversity in the nervous system. The course will cover single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, advanced imaging techniques such as multiphoton and light-sheet microscopy, and molecular tools like CRISPR- and lentivirus-based barcoded lineage tracing at single cell resolution and epigenetic profiling. Students will hear about how to characterize and classify neural cell types, investigate their functional roles, and track their developmental trajectories. The lectures will also include discussions on current challenges in neuroscience research, and applications of these methods to model organisms and human systems, preparing students to address complex questions about neural development, plasticity, and regeneration.