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Electrophysiology provides a unique approach to investigating cell and tissue functionality. This is important for high quality science not only in basic cell biology and disease investigation, but also in the continuously growing fields of stem cells, tissue engineering and therapy development. With the rapid expansion of the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technologies, there has been an increasing need for efficient functional characterization of disease specific cell lines as well as organ- and body-on-a-chip models.

Recent developments in electrophysiology include the creation of multielectrode array tools and their refinement to high-resolution possibilities, enabling precise mapping of electrical activity across tissues and organoids. Moreover, the development of tools, such as genetically encoded voltage indicators has revolutionized our ability to manipulate and visualize electrical signaling in living systems with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. Finally, advances in machine learning and computational modeling complement experimental data enhance our understanding of complex electrophysiological processes.

This dedicated, short course on electrophysiology will introduce the participants with basic theoretical knowledge on electrophysiology and introduce the modern techniques in the field. The participants will gain knowledge on how some of the foundational biology questions can be addressed using the cutting-edge technologies. We will also introduce the electrophysiology core facilities at the 91����, University of Tampere and University of Helsinki and the services and support they offer for the researchers. By bringing together the neuroscientists at the campuses and the experts in the field of electrophysiology, we aim to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and boost the neuroscience research in Finland in general.

For further information about course content, please contact Tarja Malm, email tarja.malm@uef.fi, in practical matters Jukka Jolkkonen, email jukka.jolkkonen@uef.fi.

Programme

12 May

8:30– Registration and coffee  

Opening of the course 
, 91����

9:00–10:00 Fundamentals in neuronal electrophysiology: what are we measuring and why (Chair: Anssi Pelkonen)

Introduction to electrophysiology  
, 91����  

What can you measure using patch clamp? Experience in human brains 
, 91����  

10:00–10:30 Coffee break

10:30–12:00 What are we measuring using multielectrode arrays? (Chair: Polina Abushik)

Measuring neuronal network properties using multielectrode array technology – focus on human brain
, 91����  

Measuring human brain circuit properties using high-density MEAs 
, University of Edinburgh  

Sponsor talk, Martin Melovic, Axion BioSystems

12:00–13:00 Lunch break

13:00–14:00 Faster is better – imaging voltage (Chair: Mireia Gomez Budia)

Voltage imaging of neuronal functions 
, University of Grenoble, France

Sponsor talk, Silvia Oldani, MaxWell Biosystems

Coffee 14:00-14:30

15:00-17:30 Demo (AIVirtanen institute)

Demo I: Patch clamp – 2D cultures
Demo II: Patch clamp – organoids
Demo III: MaxWell MEA
Demo IV: Axion MEA

19:00–21:00 Evening dinner at Saana 

13 May

9:00–10:30 Mechanisms underlying circuit functions (Chair: Nataliia Novosolova)

Cell type and sex dependent mechanisms underlying amygdala circuit dysfunction following chronic stress 
, University of Helsinki

Maternal separation affects spread of neuronal avalanches between developing amygdala and prefrontal cortex in a sex-dependent manner
Zoia Kharybina, University of Helsinki

Zero echo time functional magnetic resonance imaging detects brief recurring hippocampal activity in the rat brain
Kanishka Kanishka, 91����

Decoding memory formation: how does early alzheimer’s disease-related pathology alter synaptic plasticity?
Mireia Gomez-Budia, 91����

10:30–11:00 Coffee break

11:00–12:30 Impact of disease on circuit functions (Chair: Anastasia Shakirzyanova)

Insights to Novel Microphysiological Disease Models with Integrated MEA technology and Analysis
, University of Tampere

Distinct functional properties of human IPSC-derived sympathetic neurons in vitro
Oskari Kulta, Tampere University

Towards standardized MEA data analysis: a novel software framework
Mohammad Rezaiem, 91����

Exploring multicellular dynamics in glioblastoma: 3D in vitro models with integrated neuronal and vascular networks
Lotta Isosaari, Tampere University

12:30–13:30&�Բ�����;���ܲԳ���

13:30-16:00 Cortical cells and synapses: new tools for the screening of the function (Chair: Tarja Malm)

The Finnish Electrophysiology Platform
, University of Tampere

Testing a novel 3D mesh-MEA for measuring electrophysiological activity of cortical neurons and glioblastoma spheres
Vilhelmiina Hännikäinen, Tampere University

Stroke-heart syndrome on-a-chip
Anna-Mari Moilanen and Emma Pesu, Tampere University

Brain-heart wiring on compartmentalized platform
Andrey Vinogradov, Tampere University

Functional, structural, and protein analyses of adult human cortical cells & synapses (online)
, McGovern Institute for Brain Research & Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Cambridge, USA

Closing the course
Tarja Malm, 91����