Frontiers in Neurophotonics Summer School
The 18th Edition of the Frontiers in Neurophotonics Summer School will take place, from June 2nd to 13th, 2025, at the CERVO Brain Research Center in Quebec City.
Frontiers in Neurophotonics is an opportunity to meet fellow researchers and students from around the world, discuss and discover the latest advances in live cell optical imaging techniques put in perspective by experimental challenges in the field of neuroscience. The school combines tutorials given by experts in optics, biophotonics, and neuroscience with hands-on experiments involving advanced optical approaches to measure, manipulate and follow molecular events in brain cells and to quantify circuit and synaptic activities in several models.
Selection criteria
Note that the trainees (graduate students, post-docs and facility managers) attending the school are selected through a competition. Applications will be evaluated by a jury on the following criteria:
- quality of academic training;
- the trainees scientific background, including research contributions (publications, scientific presentations, mentoring, community involvement, weighted on academic curriculum);
- relevance of the summer school with respect to the student’s research project and academic curriculum;
- mentor’s recommendation.
*The selection committee favors the participation of students of different levels, expertise and educational backgrounds from around the world.
Go to the How to Apply page to learn more about the application process.
Invited speakers – 2024 Edition
- Estibaliz Gomez de Mariscal, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Portugal
- Darcy Peterka, Columbia University, USA
- Ed Ruthazer, McGill University, Canada
- Guanghan Meng, University of California Berkley, USA
- Chen Yang, Boston University, USA
- Luke Lavis, Janelia Farm, USA
- Majid Mohajerani, McGill University, Canada
- Yves De Koninck, Université Laval, Canada
- Paul De Koninck, Université Laval, Canada
- Flavie Lavoie-Cardinal, Université Laval, Canada
- Daniel Côté, Université Laval, Canada
- Rochelin Dalangin, CERVO Brain Research Center, Canada
- Michèle Desjardins, Université Laval, Canada
Topics covered:
- Fluorescent protein engineering
- Video-rate multimodal imaging of microglia dynamics in vivo. Example
- Fluorescence lifetime approaches. Example
- Super-resolution microscopy Example
- Fast volumetric methods for whole brain imaging Example
- Transparent vertebrate animal models for the study of neuronal connectivity and development Example
- Single receptor tracking on neuronal membranes Example
- Quantitative image analysis with deep learning
- Multimodal digital holographic microscopy
- Optogenetics
- Micro-optrodes for single cell optogenetics and electrophysiology in vivo
- Multiple fiberphotometry
- Non invasive brain imaging with MRI
- Genetically encoded fluorescent sensors
The schedule shown below is a brief overview of the 2024 Summer School structure.

To find out more about the subjects covered at the summer school and the type of activities offered, consult the “Archives” section of the website. There you will find information on previous speakers and sample programs from past editions.
The school is supported by funds from Brain Canada and the CERVO Brain Research Centre. We look forward to seeing you in Quebec City!
Learn more
- Read what our students have to say about the Neurophotonics Summer School.
- Learn How to apply
- View the Summer School Archives
- See a highlights video on YouTube
- Read a description of the school by Owen Ferguson, who participated in the 2021 Edition
- If you have any question regarding the summer school, please contact us at school@neurophotonics.ca
2025 Sponsors


