Grant: Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grant: INMHA

Dendrites receive and make sense out of thousands of synaptic inputs. When they fail to make sense, due to changes in their structure and function, we develop complex brain diseases such as schizophrenia, Fragile X Syndrome and addiction. Coming up with treatments to reverse these changes and restore normal brain function requires research into how dendrites develop, form connections and integrate synaptic inputs as well as research into how these processes go awry during disease. The Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Dendrites: Molecules, Structure and Function provides a multidisciplinary forum for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from around the world to present their research on dendrites, exchange new ideas and arrange future national and international collaborations. This 2-day seminar is held before the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Dendrites. The GRS is unique since it is organized by young scientists for young scientists. This format provides a non-intimidating scientific environment and encourages young researchers to ask questions, actively participate in discussions and build informal networks with their peers and senior mentors, prior to joining the 150+ person GRC. The GRS also boosts confidence, increases active participation in the main meeting and helps students feel more at ease to network with more senior and renowned neuroscientists. The GRS will host 50 participants, 16 research talks and 2 poster sessions over the 2-day period. 8 young scientists will be selected to present their research talk at the main meeting. Having participated in two previous GRS: Dendrites, I know firsthand how invaluable the experience is. For this reason, my goal as Assistant Chair of the meeting is to encourage more young scientists working in Canada to attend the 2011 GRS: Dendrites. With help from CIHR we hope to be able to offer awards to these young researchers to partially offset the cost of attending the meeting.