The Bordeaux School of Neuroscience will host 4 Cajal courses in 2026. Here is the program! Applications are not open yet. Follow the Cajal program or the Bordeaux Scholl of Neuroscience on social networds not to miss them!<\/p>\n
The course provides advanced training into the field of neural organoids for the modeling of brain development and physiopathology. Neural organoids, three-dimensional models<\/b> derived from human pluripotent stem cells<\/b>, have been revolutionizing the study of the human brain and its disorders by recapitulating key steps of human brain development including neural stem cells patterning, expansion, differentiation and connectivity. Moving beyond a basic introduction, this intensive course will focus on emerging frontiers research directions, equipping the next generation of neuroscientists with cutting-edge frontier know-how.<\/p>\n
The course emphasizes an integrative, hands-on approach that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications by combining experimental and computational methods<\/b>. Participants will gain a sophisticated theoretical framework and the practical insights to pursue the frontiers of neural organoid modelling in their own research.<\/p>\n
Course directors<\/strong><\/p>\n Giuseppe Testa Flora Vaccarino Scientific Directors<\/strong><\/p>\n Nicol\u00f2 Caporale Soraya Scuderi Emanuele Villa More details<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The field of neuroscience is undergoing a revolutionary transformation through the integration of cutting-edge genomic technologies with traditional neurobiological approaches. Single-cell and spatial genomics<\/b> are unveiling unprecedented molecular insights into nervous system development, function, and disease, fundamentally changing our understanding of neural circuits and brain organization.<\/p>\n This intensive three-week course provides comprehensive hands-on training in state-of-the-art \u201cneuromics\u201d technologies, combining theoretical foundations with practical experience in single-cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics approaches<\/b> specifically applied to the nervous system<\/b>. Participants will gain expertise in experimental design, data generation, computational analysis, and biological interpretation of high-throughput genomic datasets from neural tissues.<\/p>\n The course integrates lectures from world-leading scientists with intensive laboratory work, enabling participants to master both experimental protocols and computational pipelines essential for modern neuroscience research. Through collaborative projects, students will explore applications ranging from neural development and cell type identification to disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.<\/p>\n Course directors<\/strong><\/p>\n Gioele La Manno Hannah Hochgerner Alexandre Favereaux More details<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n We are excited to announce a new 2026 Cajal Course to be focused on the CNS Borders and Barriers<\/b>: \u2018The Neurovascular Unit and Beyond \u2013 How CNS Border Sites Dynamically Regulate Brain Homeostasis.\u2019 This topic could not be more topical at the present moment. Recent years have literally seen an explosion of foundational work on the CNS barrier \/ interface \/ border sites (Badaut et al. FBCNS, 2024). Today, we have an increasingly complex and nuanced understanding of the transcriptomics<\/b>, anatomy<\/b>, and functional correlates <\/b>of these different interfaces. This knowledge has fueled a dramatic increase in translational applications (e.g. delivery approaches for biotherapeutics and small molecules) as well as an ongoing vigorous discussion about several aspects of the CNS border sites within the field.<\/p>\n We are now on the cusp of several new therapeutic approaches being fully translated into the clinic (e.g. Alison Abbott: Breaking down barriers in brain-drug research. Nature, 29 May 2025), in part due to a more complete understanding of neurovascular unit, choroid plexus, and leptomeningeal biology. Better appreciation of the physiology of brain fluids (cerebrospinal fluid, interstitial fluid) has also been informing much more sophisticated interpretation of biomarkers (e.g. neurofilament light chain) that increasingly underlie the monitoring of disease progression and responses to therapy. Finally, the large body of recent clinical (and pre-clinical) therapeutic CNS-directed work is in turn facilitating a more sophisticated reconsideration of the CNS border sites, allowing us to better comprehend critical physiological processes, species differences, and even evolutionary aspects related to brain homeostasis. It is an incredibly exciting time for the field! This course will explore these scientific areas with world class keynote lectures and laboratory modules led by a number of dynamic instructors at the forefront of the field.<\/p>\n Course directors<\/strong><\/p>\n Jerome Badaut Robert G. Thorne More details<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n This inaugural Cajal Course on Neurobiology of Sleep offers a comprehensive overview of current knowledge, and existing gaps, in sleep regulation and its functions<\/b>, and the dynamics of brain activity<\/b> during sleep across species. World-leading experts in the field will guide participants through the latest advancements.<\/p>\n The course features hands-on training across a variety of cutting-edge approaches<\/b>, including:<\/p>\n \u2022 In vivo calcium imaging By applying these diverse techniques to sleep research, participants will significantly advance their knowledge in sleep science and master a wide array of advanced tools and methodologies.<\/p>\n Course directors<\/strong><\/p>\n Carolina Gutierrez Herrera Arthur Leblois Julie Seibt More details<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
\nUniversity of Milan and Human Technopole, Italy<\/p>\n
\nYale University, USA<\/p>\n
\nUniversity of Milan and Human Technopole, Italy<\/p>\n
\nYale University, USA<\/p>\n
\nHuman Technopole, Italy<\/p>\nNeuromics \u2013 Single-Cell and Spatial omics in the Nervous System
\n<\/strong>22 June – 10 July 2026<\/h3>\n
\nBrain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne, Switzerland<\/p>\n
\nDepartment of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion \u2013 Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel<\/p>\n
\nInterdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience (IINS), CNRS, Universit\u00e9 de Bordeaux, France<\/p>\nThe Neurovascular Unit and Beyond \u2013 How CNS Border Sites Dynamically Regulate Brain Homeostasis<\/strong>
\n28 Sept – 16 Oct 2026<\/h3>\n
\nCNRS – University of Bordeaux, France<\/p>\n
\nDenali Therapeutics, South San Francisco, California, USA
\nUniversity of Minnesota-Twin Cities, USA
\nPast President, International Brain Barriers Society<\/p>\nNeurobiology of Sleep<\/strong>
\n19 Nov – 8 Dec 2026<\/h3>\n
\n\u2022 Large-scale molecular measures
\n\u2022 Human high-density EEG recording
\n\u2022 Wearable technologies for sleep monitoring
\n\u2022 Electrophysiological recordings
\n\u2022 Advanced analysis of big data
\n\u2022 Computational modelling
\n\u2022 Comparative approach with a diversity of animal models<\/p>\n
\nUniversity of Bern, Switzerland<\/p>\n
\nCNRS – University of Bordeaux, France<\/p>\n
\nUniversity of Surrey, UK<\/p>\n
\nAbout Cajal courses<\/h3>\n