Neurosciences (MSc/PhD/MD-PhD)

Methods

From October to December, our master students participate in a series of introductory methods courses in small groups. In these courses you learn fundamental techniques applied in current research and meet members of the participating research groups.

Most methods courses start with an introductory lecture for all students before the class is divided into small groups circulating in parallel one-day practical courses. Additionally, you practice programming in R and Python in courses accompanying the curriculum for several weeks with time to discuss the exercises.

Please click on the different modules and respective lecture topics in order to see more details.

  • Research Group: Neuroanatomy (University Medical Center)
  • Supervisor: Ivo Chao
  • Outline: Neurons not only interact with neurons, but also with cells from other tissues. The course provides an overview of non-neuronal tissues, their classifications and functions in the first part. The second part will give an overview of the cells of the neuronal tissue, their classifications and functions on lightmicroscopy and EM level. In addition, we will study the histological organization of parts of the of the PNS and CNS.

  • Research Group: Molecular Neurobiology (MPI for Multidisciplinary Sciences)
  • Supervisor: Olaf Jahn
  • Outline: This course provides an overview on the basic principles of how proteins are identified and quantified in proteomic experiments. Technical aspects of mass spectrometry as the key technology in proteomics are covered at user level. All phases of a proteomic experiment are briefly discussed: experimental design, protein fractionation, sample preparation, data acquisition, data analysis, validation with independent techniques. Special emphasis is put on the analysis of subproteomes with relevance in molecular neurosciences. Recent proteomic key contributions to this field are presented and useful resources introduced. Finally, modern concepts such as the analysis of ‘proxiomes’ are discussed to exemplify how proteomics developed from qualitative protein inventories to meaningful biological insights.

  • Research Group: n/a
  • Supervisor: Walter Stühmer
  • Outline: More information will follow soon

  • Research Group: Biophysics/Complex Systems (Faculty of Physics)
  • Supervisors: Jörg Enderlein, Ingo Gregor
  • Outline: This lecture and course will give a thorough introduction into the basic of optical and in particular fluorescence microscopy. Starting from the basic principles of how a microscopy image is formed, the lecture presents in a systematic way the different microscopy techniques that are used in the life science. I particular, the following topics will be discussed: How does a microscope function; Magnification and resolution of a microscope; Wide‐field microscopy; Laser‐scanning Confocal Microscopy (CLSM); Structured Illumination and Image Scanning Microscopy (SIM/ISM); Stimulated Depletion Emission Microscopy (STED); Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM); Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRFM); Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM).

  • Research Group: Neuro- and Sensory Physiology (University Medical Center)
  • Supervisor: Silvio Rizzoli
  • Outline: This single lecture provides an overview of light microscopy techniques employed in live imaging, both in the conventional domain and in the super-resolution domain. It discusses the different microscopy technologies that have been employed, including the optics principles behind them. It dwells at length on possibilities for molecular labeling and tracking for live imaging. The different pitfalls are also discussed, from photobleaching and phototoxicity to over-expression artifacts or image interpretation errors.