[BIC-announce] FW: KILLAM LECTURE - TODAY - Regultory Events in Olfactory System Development

[Jennifer Chew, Ms.]

PLEASE DISCARD IF THIS IS A DUPLICATE.  THANK YOU.  JENNIFER 

Jennifer Chew
McConnell Brain Imaging Centre
MNI - WB317
3801 University Street
Montreal, Qc  H3A 2B4
Telephone:  514-398-8554
Fax:  514-398-2975

________________________________________
From: MNISTAFF - Montreal Neurological Institute Staff [mailto:MNISTAFF at LISTS.MCGILL.CA] On Behalf Of Enza Ferracane, Ms.
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2006 8:50 AM
To: MNISTAFF at LISTS.MCGILL.CA
Subject: KILLAM LECTURE - TODAY

*****REMINDER*****
 
KILLAM Lecture -  TODAY 
 
Speaker:  Charles Greer, Ph.D.
Professor, Yale University
 
Title:  Regulatory Events in Olfactory System Development
 
Date:  Tuesday, January 31, 2006
 
Time:  4:00 pm
 
Place:  de Grandpre Communication Centre 
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Dear Colleagues, 
This week's Killam seminar entitled "Regulatory events in olfactory system development" will be presented by Dr. Charles Greer.  Dr. Greer is a Professor of Neuroscience in the Department of Neurosurgery and Section of Neurobiology, and Vice Chairman for Research in Neurosurgery. He received his Ph.D. in the neurosciences from the University of Colorado in 1978. Following postdoctoral studies in the Department of Physiology and Section of Neurobiology at Yale University School of Medicine, he joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience in the Sections of Neurosurgery and Neurobiology in 1983. Dr. Greer is internationally recognized for his work on local synaptic circuit organization in the olfactory system and the capacity of the nervous system for plasticity. Dr. Greer also serves as the Co-director of the Interdepartmental Neurosciences Graduate Program for Yale University.
Dr Greer's research laboratory is focused on understanding the organization of pathways and projections in the central nervous system and the mechanisms that underlie the establishment of synaptic specificity within circuits. The techniques employed include both in vivo and in vitro models, confocal and electron microscopy, and computational modeling. The program of research is unique because they have been able to identify and begin characterizing specific pathways in the brain that appear to utilize unique molecular markers for establishing functionally defined projections and synaptic connections. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the establishment of specificity plus plasticity is likely to contribute significantly to the conceptual development of strategies that can be used to treat neurodegenerative and trauma disorders. For example, understanding the cellular environment that supports the replacement and axonal growth of neurons in the olfactory system has high potential impact on spinal cord injury where the inability of severed axons to reestablish appropriate connections is the major impediment to recovery of function. Similarly, neurodegenerative disorders could be treated more effectively through transplants providing we can increase our understanding of the molecular substrates that underlie the precise targeting of axons in the central nervous system. 
Please join us for what should be an outstanding seminar.
Alyson Fournier, PhD
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery
Montreal Neurological Institute, BT-109
Montreal, Quebec
H3A2B4
TEL:  514-398-3154
FAX:  514-398-6547
email:  alyson.fournier at mcgill.ca