Developmental Basis of Nervous System Diversity: Molecular, Cellular, and Organismal Levels

The 2024 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Neural Development at the Renaissance Tuscany II Ciocco in Lucca, Italy will bring together scientists who investigate fundamental questions related to nervous system development, using molecular, cellular and organismal approaches. Topics include the genesis of neurons and glia, cell lineages, cell-cell communication including with non-neural cells, neuronal metabolism, and the assembly of neural circuitry. The meeting will also probe the basis for brain evolution from molecular to circuit levels, as well as neurodevelopmental variation and diseases. In line with these diverse topics, speakers employ a range of classical and emerging model organisms including worms, flies, fish, mice, ferrets, and non-human primates. They also use state-of-the art complementary models including iPS and ES cells, organoids, and human tissue. The invited speakers employ diverse approaches including: molecular genetic techniques and genomic approaches such as transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling; single cell mRNA sequencing and lineage barcoding; CRISPR-based manipulations and screens; live-imaging and high-resolution microscopy; neuroimaging and human genetics. The meeting is designed to promote extensive exchanges between junior and senior scientists from diverse career stages and backgrounds. This collegial atmosphere will be fostered through interactions at talks, poster sessions, meals, and informal gatherings during free time. Networking will be promoted with journal editors and members of funding agencies that support research in this field. There will also be many short talks selected from abstracts, which will especially feature the most exciting recent work by junior researchers. We encourage applications from diverse researchers across institutions, career stages, countries, and relevant scientific topics, with the goal of having diverse participants to enrich the meeting. A GRS is reserved for trainees only, including undergraduate, PhD students and postdocs; This will precede the meeting, organized and run by trainees, and will include sessions on related topics.