GeneExpression Systems & Appasani Research Conferences (ARCEI.ORG)
Jointly Presents

Second International
Neuron to Synapse 2010 Meeting
On
‘Neurobiology to Neurodegenerative Diseases & Therapeutics’

June 7 – 8, 2010
Holiday Inn Midtown at 57th Street, New York City, NY, USA

“A Unique Theme to Combine Biology of Neurosynapses, Cognition, Memory & Diseases”

Topics or Highlights of the Meeting:

Neurodevelopment & Mechanisms
Sensory & Motor Systems
Cognition & Behavior
Disorders of Nervous System
Drug Development


Focus of the Theme Meeting:

Brain diseases, in particular neurodegenerative diseases, represent a growing public health concern. Understanding the biology of neuronal cells (neurons) and their communication with neighboring cells at synapses is crucial in order to know the defects and pathophysiology of brain disorders. To discover and develop innovative drug compounds for these central nervous system diseases it is essential to gather intellectual minds from academia, biotech and pharmaceutical industries to have a forum. Such forum will enhance knowledge and dissipate of data and ideas which will ultimately bring more scientific and business collaborations.

The conference will bring together experts and young researchers with diverse backgrounds in molecular and cellular neurobiology, biochemistry, electrophysiology, behavior, cognition, perception, and disease biology, and the first conference discussing new developments in this highly interdisciplinary area of brain research. The conference should be interesting for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, professors from academia and scientists, directors and executives from industry, as well as for anyone interested in brain functions and their associated diseases. Authorities in the filed will be invited as key speakers. Few speakers will be also selected from the applicants, based on the submitted abstracts. Dedicated time will be allowed for presentation of posters and viewing the exhibits and to know the available cutting-edge reagents, services in the field.

AGENDA/SPEAKERS

Monday, June 7, 2010
7:00 – 8:30 A.M: Registration Open
7:30 – 8:45 A.M: Continental breakfast
8:00 - 9:00 A.M: Technology Session I
10.00 AM – 6.00 PM Scientific Sessions

Tuesday, June 8, 2010
7:00 – 8:30 A.M: Registration Open
7:30 – 8:45 A.M: Continental breakfast
8:00 - 9:00 A.M: Technology Session I
10.00 AM – 6.00 PM Scientific Sessions


Scientific Committee:

	Krishnarao Appasani, Ph.D., MBA Founder & CEO GeneExpression Systems, Inc, Waltham, MA, USA
	Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD. Professor & Chair of Neuroscience Nash Family Professor of Neuroscience and Director of the Mount Sinai Brain Institute, New York, NY, USA
	Paul Lombroso, MD Elizabeth Mear and House Jameson Professor of Neurobiology Associate Professor, Child Study Center Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA

Keynote Speakers:

		Robert B. Darnell, M.D., Ph.D. Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Senior Attending Physician Robert and Harriet Heilbrunn Professor Laboratory of Molecular Neuro-oncology Rockefeller University, New York, NY USA

		Joseph E. LeDoux, PhD. Henry and Lucy Moses Professor of Science Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology New York University Director of the Center for the Neuroscience of Fear and Anxiety

		Joan Fallon, Ph.D. CEO Curemark LLC Rye, NY USA

Other Speakers:

	Stewart A. Anderson, M.D. Associate Attending Psychiatrist (New York-Presbyterian Hospital) Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Neuroscience Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY USA
	Ottavio Arancio, MD, PhD. Assistant Professor of Pathology Columbia Medical School, New York, NY USA Title: Amyloid-beta: from Physiology to Pathology
	Amy F.T. Arnsten, Ph.D. Professor of Neurobiology Director of Graduate Studies Yale University, New Haven, CT USA
	David C. Bloom, Ph.D. Professor, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL USA
	Lila Davachi, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Psychology New York University, New York, NY USA
	Wenzhen Duan, M.D., Ph.D Assistant Professor Division of Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry Director, Translational Neurobiology laboratory Faculty, Baltimore Huntington's Disease Center Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
	Robert Hawkins, PhD Professor of Neuroscience, Psychiatry Columbia University, New York, NY USA
	Frances E. Jensen, MD Professor of Neurology Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA USA Title: TBA
	Shin-ya Kawaguchi, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Dept. Biophysics Kyoto University, JAPAN
	David A. Lowe, PhD Chief Scientific Officer & Executive Vice President. Research & Development Psychogenics Inc., Tarrytown, NY USA
	Youming Lu, PhD, MD Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience Bollinger Professor of Alzheimer’s Diseases Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Center LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA USA
	Huntington Potter, PhD President of the Faculty Director of the Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (NIA) Professor and Eric Pfeiffer Chair for Research on Alzheimer's Disease Department of Molecular Medicine Eric Pfeiffer Suncoast Alzheimer's Center USF Health Byrd Alzheimer Institute University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, FL USA
	Darryle Schoepp, PhD Senior Vice President and Franchise Head, Neuroscience Merck and Company, Inc. , North Wales, PA USA
	Songhai Shi, Ph.D. Lab Head, Bristol Myers Squibb/James D. Robinson III Junior Faculty Chair Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY USA
	Yi Zhong, PhD Professor . Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Long Island, NY USA Title: TBA

Updated Regularly. Please Visit Again

Exhibitors are welcome to reserve their booth space early!

Please contact if you are interested in speaking in the scientific or Technology workshops of this meeting.

GeneExpression Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 540170
Waltham, MA 02454 USA
Tel: (781) 891-8181
Fax: (781) 891-8234
E-mail: Genexpsys@expressgenes.com
www.expressgenes.com

Poster Abstract Submission by March 31, 2010

Abstracts

Title: Amyloid-beta: from Physiology to Pathology
Presenter name: Ottavio Arancio
Abstract:
Nanomolar levels of Alzheimer’s amyloid-b (Ab) impair long-term potentiation (LTP) and both spatial and fear memory. The effects of Ab, however, are not limited to disruption of synaptic function and memory. Low picomolar Ab increases LTP and memory. Depletion of Ab, in turn, impairs LTP and both spatial and contextual memory. We propose a model for the action of Aβ with positive and negative effects on LTP and memory representing a continuum, with low concentrations playing a positive and critical role resulting in normal plasticity and memory, and high concentrations playing a negative role resulting in reduced plasticity and memory.

Title: Use of Viral Vectors to Restore Hippocampal Synaptic Function in a Mouse Model of FRAGILE X SYNDROME
Presenter name: David C. Bloom
Abstract:
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is caused by a mutation that silences the Fragile X Mental Retardation gene (FMR1) which encodes the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP). To determine if FMRP replacement could rescue phenotypic deficits in an fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model of FXS, we constructed an Adeno-Associated Virus-based viral vector that expresses FMRP. Using this vector we determined that FMRP replacement could rescue the fmr1 KO phenotype of enhanced long-term-depression (LTD), a form of synaptic plasticity linked to cognitive impairments associated with FXS. These results demonstrate the utility of viral-vector mediated protein replacement in the study of synaptic function in the CNS.  Potential applications and limitations of viral vector-mediated protein replacement in the CNS will be discussed.

Title: NMDA Receptor-Associated Cell Death Signals at Extra-Synaptic Sites
Presenter name: Youming Lu
Abstract:
N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors constitute a major subtype of glutamate receptors at extra-synaptic sites that link multiple intracellular catabolic processes responsible for irreversible neuronal death. Here, we report that cerebral ischemia recruits death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) into the NMDA receptor NR2B protein complex in the cortex of adult mice. DAPK1 directly binds with the NMDA receptor NR2B C-terminal tail consisting of amino acid 1292-1304 (NR2BCT). A constitutively active DAPK1 phosphorylates NR2B subunit at Ser-1303 and in turn enhances the NR1/NR2B receptor channel conductance. Genetic deletion of DAPK1 or administration of NR2BCT that uncouples an activated DAPK1 from an NMDA receptor NR2B subunit in vivo in mice blocks injurious Ca2+ influx through NMDA receptor channels at extra-synaptic sites and protects neurons against cerebral ischemic insults. Thus, DAPK1 physically and functionally interacts with the NMDA receptor NR2B subunit at extra-synaptic sites and this interaction acts as a central mediator for stroke damage.