Course description

This specialized course delves into the intricate world of imaging probe design and microscopy, emphasizing their pivotal role in elucidating brain functions. The curriculum is designed to not only provide theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience through practical sessions. The core objective is to gather pioneers in brain science to share insights on the latest advancements and challenges, while nurturing the next crop of brilliant young minds in this domain. PhD scholars and postdoctoral fellows/junior researchers with a keen interest in devising or deploying innovative tools in neuroscience are heartily encouraged to apply, regardless of their geographical location. 

The course is bifurcated into two parts. The first part is dedicated to imparting knowledge on the evolution of optical techniques tailored for neuroscience research. This includes an in-depth exploration of probe design principles and microscope development, complemented by practical workshops. The subsequent part will focus to introducing students to groundbreaking discoveries made possible by optical instrumentation and probes in the field. Our ultimate goal is to empower students with the skills to conceive novel techniques and apply their learned expertise to address complex neuroscience enigmas.

2024 Faculty roster

George Augustine, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory

Matthew Banghart, University of California San Diego

Vincenzo De Paola, Duke-NUS Medical School

Yu Fu, Agency for Science Technology and Research

Chenghua Gu, Harvard University

Moritz Helmstaedter, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research

Na Ji, University of California Berkeley

Bart Jongbloets, Radboud University    

Sung-Yon Kim, Seoul National University

Bo Li, Westlake University

Yulong Li, Peking University

Michael Lin, Stanford University

Minmin Luo, Chinese Institute for Brain Research

Tianyi Mao, Vollum Institute

Michael Muniak, Oregon Health & Science University

Tatsuo Sato, Kagoshima University

Chris Xu, Cornell University

Jin Zhang, University of California San Diego

2024 PRICING (INCLUDING TUITION, BOARD AND LODGING):  1950 USD

No payment is due until the selection decisions are made, but any applicant requiring financial support (i.e. stipends) should make that request in written form during the online application. The admissions process is need-blind, your financial situation will not be considered before admission decisions are made.