Conference on Neural Control of Behavior, University of California, February 9-12, 2006

University Of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

This three-day conference will provide a forum for in-depth dialogue on innovative research in the area of Neural Control of Behavior. The first two days will be devoted to a symposium that will be open to the scientific community. There will be four sessions: (1) Neurobiological Basis of Social Behavior; (2) Fear and Anxiety; (3) Sleeping and Dreaming; (4) The Aging Brain. The speakers represent a balance of species used (invertebrates to mammals), experimental approaches used (from molecular and cellular to behavioral levels of analyses), gender, and career level. The third day of the meeting will be devoted to a workshop of speakers and invited conference participants, where they will explore ways in which information discussed during the symposium can be used to take their respective research areas in new directions. This conference aims to: Bring together researchers who are asking similar questions, but are using different species and different experimental approaches; Promote the use of simple systems for addressing complex biological problems; Promote interaction between junior scientists - women in particular - and established investigators and leaders in the field; Provide a high-quality educational forum, in an intimate setting, that is conducive for in-depth discussion and learning between trainees and more senior researchers. A Meet-the-Speaker luncheon is aimed specifically at trainees, giving them the unique opportunity to interact with internationally recognized experts in an intimate setting. A Poster Session also gives trainees and more senior researchers the opportunity to highlight and discuss their own work. The speakers use modern, cutting-edge technologies for addressing problems in the area of Neural Control of Behavior. By bringing together these researchers, and giving them a forum for discussing their work, the message can be effectively spread that these modern techniques are being used with great success in a wide variety of animal systems. This conference will provide an important interdisciplinary communications-mechanism for advancements in the neuroscience community.