301325 VO Genetic Methods in Neuroscience (2025W)

Neuroscience utilizes a broad variety of methods to investigate the complex foundation of brain physiology, brain development and behavior. Among these methods genetic approaches excel by their long and successful tradition within biological sciences and their applicability to very diverse research questions. Taking advantage of the tight relation between the genetic heritage/inheritance of an organism and its phenotypic appearance (under well-defined environmental conditions), genetic approaches allow the identification of factors, which affect brain processes in health and disease.
At the beginning, genetic fundamentals and the proper terminology will be introduced and put into the context of neurobiology. This will include the development of a conceptual framework for brain development and function, which integrates the influences of heritage, environment and developmental processes and is useful to understand human neuroscience in health and disease. Furthermore, the art of genetic screens utilized in neuroscience will be introduced, emphasizing their power but also tackling their limitations. Subsequently, traditional genetic screens performed in diverse model organisms will be discussed and compared to alternative approaches applicable to human-specific questions, which will include the study of human diseases. Altogether, I hope this lecture provides a toolbox for a specific class of approaches exquisitely suitable for the study of many neurobiological questions.

In this course students shall deepen their understanding of basic genetics and of the correct use of genetic terminology. Furthermore, they should develop a larger conceptual framework, within which neuroscientific questions can be formulated and experimental results can be interpreted. Moreover, students will learn to conceptualize genetic approaches for a neurobiological question and to identify a suitable model organism. Similarly, alternative methods applicable for human-specific problems will be brought to the students´ attention and should become intuitive. Finally, they should be aware of the power and limitations of different genetic methods and thus to read, evaluate and criticize published work.