Please tell us briefly about your research interests.

I am a PhD student in the Mustafaoglu lab at Sabanci University in Turkey. My main goal for my future career is to do research on neurodegenerative disease and model them in in-vitro 3D systems to find novel methods for treatment of brain related diseases. In this regard, I am studying stem cell technology to model cells and organ-on-a-chip technology for modelling the disease physiology in in-vitro conditions. Currently, I am developing new differentiation protocols to obtain proper morphology and functionality of brain endothelial cells from human stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells, to be used in 3D microfluidic culture systems. By combining my geneticist background from my Master education and recent technologies that I have been learning, I would like to study modeling neurodegenerative disease in in vitro condition using genetics, stem cell and OOC technology.

Why did you choose to participate in the Cajal training course on Neuroepigentics?

In the Mustafaoglu Lab, we focus on modeling the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and neurovascular unit (NVU) to study their state in health and disease. To develop these novel in-vitro models that are physiologically relevant, we use multidisciplinary approaches and state-of-the-art technologies, including stem cell and organ-on-chip technologies. During my master’s degree, I trained as a geneticist, and I used my skills to find new treatments by modeling cell line using gene editing and molecular biology techniques. During my PhD, I learned the benefits of applying new technologies developed in different disciplines to solve the problems in neurodegenerative diseases. My research focuses on developing a human cell-based in-vitro glioblastoma-BBB model using microfluidic systems to recapitulate the proper microenvironment for understanding the disease and developing holistic solutions for it. My models will open new doors for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for brain diseases by removing the challenges that the field was facing 2D cell culture systems and animal models for the translation of the results into the clinic. However, it is important for me to know how to obtain excellent images and set up the experiments to critique and analyze the results of in-vitro and in-vivo studies. To improve my skills and knowledge related to my research perspective, I wanted to be one of the participants getting the benefit from Cajal training program fully covering required skills in this field.

Did the participation in the course contribute to your current research? How?

Particularly, in neurobiological studies, imaging allows answering many questions about brain physiology, responses to stimuli, and behavioral relationships. Using the awake imaging techniques in the Cajal training, I could get experience and knowledge to apply these methods to understand the physiological responses in the living model organism, and I will be able to evaluate the applicability of in vivo physiology in our in vitro models. Now, I feel myself confident on application of patch-clamp technique and miniscope technology for calcium imaging and vessel dilation experiments on awake and freely moving mice, hence I will be able to compare our in-vitro BBB and NVU models with in-vivo conditions.

Would you recommend others to participate in a Cajal Training Course? Why?

I would definitely recommend participating in these courses because this is an amazing training program that you can combine theoretical and practical knowledge together. Since you are doing everything hands-on, you have chance to observe the every possible limitations and advantages by yourselves under supervision of the great instructors. You also have chance to expand your network related to this field and you have opportunity to ask every little detail to the greatest scientists and researchers working and specialized on this field.

How did the support from ERA-Net NEURON contribute to your participation/success in the course?

Thanks to the support provided by ERA-Net NEURON, I could join the training without any worry and hesitation about how to stay in France. Because of the high application fee compared to my monthly salary, I would not have been able to participate in this amazing program without any support. ERA-Net NEURON covered almost all my all expenses for the Cajal training. Hence, I could just focus on what I will learn and how I will contribute to this program.

Please tell us briefly about your research interests.

Our lab, the TTK Visual Systems Neuroscience Research Group deploys modern imaging, genetic targeting and molecular techniques in large-animal models that recapitulate human vision more closely than rodents do. The main interest of our lab is to understand brain circuit dysfunction in amblyopia using large-scale multimodal recordings. To achieve this aim, we investigate the complete visual pathway in rat, cat and human samples both in vitro and in vivo with state-of-art technologies, such as functional ultrasound imaging, wide-field functional imaging, two-photon imaging and fiber photometry. Currently, I am working on the development of new methods to accurately process brain activation maps obtained through blood-flow-based imaging techniques, with a particular focus on functional ultrasound imaging.

Why did you choose to participate in the Cajal training course on Neuroepigentics?

I chose to participate in the Cajal training course on Neuro-vascular function because of the exceptional opportunity it presents to meet with top scientists in the field of experimental neurosciences and gain insights into the latest and most advanced experimental techniques. I believed that attending this school would enable me to deepen my understanding of cutting-edge techniques that I have previously encountered but had limited opportunities to learn in detail, such as magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging, and various microscopy techniques.

Name the 3 most significant things you gained from this course?

I gained the most significant knowledge from the two main projects in the course, which provided hands-on experience in essential areas such as surgical procedures, in vivo mouse experiments, and data analysis with different software. These projects allowed me to study neurovascular interactions on the micro- and mesoscale, develop my experimental and analytical skills, and make informed decisions based on experimental data.

Will the participation in the course contribute to your current research? How?

The course provided me with an opportunity to expand my experimental toolbox in optical imaging techniques such as two-photon microscopy and widefield imaging. Furthermore, the course helped me to explore deeper the underlying physiological mechanisms of neurovascular coupling, which is essential for the proper interpretation of the hemodynamic-based functional signals recorded during functional ultrasound imaging. This understanding significantly contributes to my ongoing research projects.

Would you recommend others to participate in a Cajal Training Course? Why?

Absolutely, I would highly recommend others to participate in a Cajal Training Course. The courses offer an exceptional opportunity for researchers to expand their knowledge, skills, and expertise in a variety of neuroscience fields. The Cajal courses are taught by world-renowned experts in the field, who provide in-depth and up-to-date insights into the latest research and experimental techniques. Additionally, the courses offer a unique opportunity for participants to network with other researchers from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration and idea-sharing.

How did the support from ERA-Net NEURON contribute to your participation/success in the course?

The support from ERA-NET NEURON was instrumental in my participation and success in the Cajal Training Course, as it covered the majority of the registration fee and related expenses, including accommodation and meals. Without their generous financial assistance, attending the course would have imposed a significant financial burden on me. Thanks to their support, I was able to fully concentrate on the learning and development opportunities the course offered without worrying about financial constraints.

Please tell us briefly about your research interests.

I am a researcher at the Mario Negri Institute, in the laboratory of Traumatic Brain Injury and Neuroprotection headed by Elisa R. Zanier. Our work aims to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the evolution of acute brain damage, improve the predictivity of experimental models, and identify clinically relevant biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
I am currently studying a mouse model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), in particular focusing on the characterization of T-cells and on the elucidation of their role in the pathogenesis of early and delayed brain injury in SAH. More specifically, I am investigating the CCR5 pathway, which has been recently identified as a promising and druggable target to achieve neuroprotection in stroke and traumatic brain injury, but it has not yet been investigated in SAH.

Why did you choose to participate in the Cajal training course on Neuroepigentics?

The neuro-vascular unit dysfunction is a common denominator in my field of research and plays a key role in secondary injury progression serving as pathophysiological substrate for chronic neuroinflammatory processes after acute brain injuries, such as subarachnoid hemorrhage. An in depth understanding of neuro-vascular unit function equipped me with the right tools to better address my current and future research questions.

Name the 3 most significant things you gained from this course?

The most significant aspect I derived from this experience was a substantial personal growth; the unique opportunity to engage with keynote scientists in the field provided me with new insights, and the frequent opportunity to speak in public allowed me to become more self-confident.
As a hands-on course, the second significant gaining was becoming familiar with techniques that will significantly improve my research. In the first part of the course, I learned how to utilize widefield optical imaging to investigate the hemodynamic response to vasomotion and locomotion in awake mice; this is an important tool for studying the neurovascular coupling in the cortex. During the second part of the three-week program, I engaged in a project particularly relevant for my current research, focusing on in vivo visualization of the leukocyte endothelial interaction with two-photon microscopy. Furthermore, I gained practical experience in performing surgical preparation of the chronic cranial window in mice, which is necessary for performing the aforementioned imaging techniques.
Lastly, the new friendships with other students from around the world were the third most valuable gaining, fostering continuous and meaningful exchange of ideas and creating many wonderful moments.

Will the participation in the course contribute to your current research? How?

Expanding my knowledge and learning techniques that allow for a deep understanding of the neuro-vascular unit functionality in physiological and pathological conditions, are crucial for my current and future studies. As mentioned, what I have learned in this CAJAL course has provided me with skills to significantly improve my research and will be of great value to our laboratory and my future scientific career. Specifically, I acquired strong theorical and practical basic tools to next introduce the two-photon microscopy technique in my research, giving to us the possibility to better evaluate vasospasm, leukocyte and immune cell’s interactions and glial dynamic changes following SAH in our experimental model.

Would you recommend others to participate in a Cajal Training Course? Why?

I highly recommend this experience to anyone who, like me, is a young researcher at the beginning of their scientific career. These kinds of experiences enable researchers to gain greater self-confidence and to increase scientific knowledge, which are essential in the process of personal and professional growth.

How did the support from ERA-Net NEURON contribute to your participation/success in the course?

Thanks to ERA-Net NEURON, I was able to benefit from funding that economically supported this three-week course. Therefore, I can say that this generous support has allowed me to access a fantastic experience that will be crucial for my future.

The CAJAL Advanced Neuroscience Training Programme was founded to establish a high-level neuroscience training hub in Europe. The CAJAL Programme aims to teach basic and fundamental neuroscience concepts as well as state-of-the-art techniques, data analysis and computer skills to train the next generation of top-notch neuroscientists. ERA-NET NEURON has partnered with FENS in the organisation of the Cajal Advanced Neuroscience Training Programme since 2018. The aim is to promote high-quality training possibilities in neuroscience at large by sponsoring high quality neuroscience courses. Each year a Cajal course is sponsored that thematically aligns with the scope of the ongoing projects funded in ERA-NET NEURON joint transnational calls. In addition, the partnership entails support for participants from ERA-Net NEURON funded consortia and travel support for course directors.