Frontiers in Neurophotonics Summer School

The 18th Edition of the Frontiers in Neurophotonics Summer School will take place, from June 2^nd to 13^th, 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!