Activities

The “Microglia and Neuroinflammation” Thematic Network is pleased to announce that it will hold its 2nd Workshop, “Microglia: from gene to function,” at the Bordeaux NeuroSchool (https://www.bordeaux-neurocampus.fr/en/who-are-we-bordeaux-neurocampus/school-of-neuroscience/) from November 3 to 7, 2025.

This year, the workshop stands out thanks to a novel format: the three hands-on modules will converge around a common scientific project aiming to decipher the synthesis of IL‑1β by brain-resident myeloid cells, using a biosensor mouse model.

Targeted at early-career researchers (PhD students, junior post-docs, and early-stage engineers), the workshop will bring together 20 participants and will consist of three 2-day practical sessions led by 11 researchers from the GDR network, all experts in their respective fields. The selected modules are:

1. Ex vivo and in vivo imaging

• Objective: Acquire two-photon microscopy images; learn how to analyze microglial morphology and dynamics
• Technologies: Ex vivo and in vivo two-photon microscopy

2. Flow cytometry

• Objective: Learn how to immunophenotype brain immune cells (microglia, border-associated macrophages)
• Techniques: Immune cell preparation from brain and meninges, and cytometric analysis

3. Transcriptomics

• Objective: Generate and analyze scRNA-seq datasets
• Approach: scRNA-seq: from sample preparation to library construction; step-by-step analysis of a dataset using the SEURAT package

Each participant will attend 2 out of the 3 workshops, with a ranking of preferences requested at the time of pre-registration.
The Friday afternoon session will be dedicated to presenting the results obtained during the workshops and will foster exchanges between the three scientific themes.

General program:

• Sunday, Nov 2: Arrival of participants
• Monday, Nov 3 to Thursday, Nov 6: Practical workshops
• Friday, Nov 7: Morning: Conference; Afternoon: Workshop results presentation
• Saturday, Nov 8: Departure of participants

Practical information:

Workshop fee: €900 per participant (€600 for Bordeaux-based participants; accommodation not included in this case). The fee covers participation in workshops, shared double-room accommodation, and meals (from Monday breakfast to Saturday breakfast). Travel expenses and meals on Sunday, Nov 2 and Saturday, Nov 8 are not covered and must be arranged by the participants.

Language: French or English depending on the participants selected

Registration timeline:

July 4 – August 10: Pre-registration via the Assoconnect platform (Club de cellules gliales)

September 15: Notification of selected participants

October 1: Final registration deadline for selected participants

Pre-registration link: https://club-de-cellules-gliales.assoconnect.com/collect/description/582791-q-atelier-2025-du-reseau-thematique-microglie-et-neuroinflammation