About the School

Background

The field of neurochemistry increasingly relies on genomic and bioinformatics approaches to unravel complex molecular mechanisms underlying neurological disorders. By focusing on cutting-edge tools such as DEG analysis, transcriptomics and variant prioritisation, this school provides essential training that directly supports advancements in neurochemical research. The hands-on workshops and interactive sessions will bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing attendees for future challenges in neurochemical genomics.

Structure of the School

This 7-day APSN-ISN School, titled “Emerging Techniques in Neurochemical Genomics: From Data Analysis to Biological Interpretation”, is designed to introduce and train participants in contemporary genomic and bioinformatics approaches as applied to neurochemistry. The program integrates lectures, workshops, technical talks, and professional development activities to provide participants with the theoretical foundation and hands-on experience needed to analyze, interpret, and apply genomic data in the context of neurological disorders (e.g., lectures (~10 hours), hands-on training (~20 hours), student presentations and networking (~5 hours).

Aims of the School

The school aims to provide comprehensive education, hands-on training, and personal enrichment opportunities. It seeks to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding necessary to conduct genomics and transcriptomics research effectively and ethically. The school aims to foster collaboration, inspire innovation, and advance neurochemistry research better to understand the human brain and associated neurological disorders.

The goals of the school include:

  • To equip participants with a strong foundation in genomic and bioinformatics tools relevant to neurochemical research and its translation.
  • To enhance hands-on analytical skills for interpreting high-throughput genomic data in neurobiology.
  • To promote collaboration and professional development among early-career neuroscientists across the Asia-Pacific region.
  • To increase membership of ISN/APSN through promotion of the neurochemistry and the social network with the current members.

The 7-day International Society for Neurochemistry-supported School focuses on the following 4 domains:

Education

  • The primary goal of the school is to build capacity in neurochemical genomics and its translation to the human context through in-depth educational modules. School delegates will learn about genomic applications in neurochemistry, focusing on neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Topics will include transcriptomics, variant analysis, pathway interpretation, multi-omics data integration, and application into clinical trials. A diverse faculty from leading institutions in the Asia-Pacific region will deliver lectures.

Hands-on Training

  • Participants will gain practical experience in data processing, analysis, and visualization techniques commonly used in neurogenomic studies. Through guided workshops and demonstrations, they will work with real datasets to perform differential gene expression (DGE) analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing interpretation, variant calling, and functional annotation using bioinformatics pipelines and open-source tools

Personal/Career Development Enrichment

  • In addition to technical content, the school offers sessions focused on soft skills and career development, including effective scientific communication, ethical publication practices, and mentorship strategies. Participants will engage in structured discussions, professional development seminars, poster presentations and competition to enhance their confidence and communication skills.

Ethical Consideration

  • The school will also include a dedicated session on neuroethics to discuss responsible conduct in neurogenomic research. Topics such as data privacy, consent in human genomic studies, and ethical dilemmas in neuroinformatics will be addressed to foster awareness of ethical research practices.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Statement

The organiser strives to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of the planning and execution of the school. This includes the meritocracy selection of awardees and speakers. We will ensure a fair distribution of awards focussing on gender balance and geographical regions while selecting the school’s organising committee, participants and invited speaker.

Registration

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Scientific Programme

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Sponsorships

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