FOURTH SEMESTER – Master Neuroscience in Athens

Research Thesis Project

dmhsupport — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 14:37:08 +0000

Co-ordinators

Professor of Neurology and Neurobiology, Medical School of Athens, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

Professor of Neurobiology, Department of Biology, Division of Animal & Human Physiology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

Duration-ECTs and Sites

This research project corresponds to 60 ECTs. The duration of the Research Thesis Project is at least 11 months and maximum 18 months from its assignment to the student. Extension can only be given in exceptional cases after the student’s request and the decision of the Special Interdepartmental Committee (SIC), with the consent of the supervisor.

The execution of the Thesis can be carried out either in domestic Universities and research centers or Universities and Research Institutes abroad, participating or cooperating with the programme. It can also be performed in non-partner Universities or research institutions both foreign and domestic after the decision of the SIC.

The course also includes lectures on Structural Biology and Statistical Methods as follows:

Titles of lectures and names of the lecturers

Themes and Topics	Lecturer
Scientific and Statistical Hypotheses, The three paradigms for data analysis: Frequentist, Resampling and Bayesian approach.	Nikos Fyllas
Introduction to R.	Nikos Fyllas
Random Variables, Probability Distributions and Exploratory Data Analysis.	Nikos Fyllas
Comparing means using parametric, non parametric and resampling approaches.	Nikos Fyllas
Correlation and Linear Regression. General Linear Models and Model Simplification I.	Nikos Fyllas
Atoms, molecules, and energy – Complexity – General overview of methods for determining, biomacromolecular structures (X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, NMR) – Peptide bond, primary structure – Dihedral angles (φ, ψ) – Secondary structures – Tertiary structure – Ways of representing biomacromolecular structures	Nikos Glykos
General Linear Models and Model Simplification II.	Nikos Fyllas
An introduction to ML methods	Nikos Fyllas
Introduction to the PDB/UniProt databases – Introduction to the use of AlphaFold for protein structure prediction – Case studies describing the structure and (dys)function of three respective seminal proteins in neurons, e.g., Tau–microtubule complex, Tau/Aβ42/α-synuclein fibrils, GABA receptors	Faidon Brotzákis
Membrane Proteins (Structural Organization of Membrane Proteins and Conformational Changes) – Membrane Channels Gating and Ion Selectivity – Secondary Transporters: Alternating Access Mechanisms – Neurotransmitter Sodium Symporters (NSS Family), DAT: Dopamine transporter, SERT: Serotonin transporter, Structural prototype: LeuT – GPCRs (Activation Cycles, Example structural model: β2-adrenergic receptor) – Membrane Protein–Lipid Interactions	Aikaterini Tatsaki

Written Essay of the Research Thesis

Following completion of the research, students have to write an assay that will include

Description of the research performed according to instructions provided (Title, Abstract-Specific Aim, Introduction, Materials and methods, Results, Discussion and Bibliography), and
A research proposal where he/she will describe how he/she will answer a specific scientific question. The proposal will include Title, Abstract-Specific Aim, Introduction, Experimental Design and Bibliography
The biographical sketch of the student

To obtain instructions and a template, please, click here

Student Obligations Regarding Research Thesis Project & Thesis Assessnent

Following the completion of the experimental work, students, in collaboration with their supervisor, write their thesis project according to the instructions (template, the use of the Template is mandatory) of the Program. This may include several rounds of revisions.

An effort should be made to present theses twice a year: once in November and once in February (this is because the graduation ceremonies are usually in December and April-May). In the first case, the Diploma essay should be delivered to the supervisor, the student and the remaining 2 members of the 3-member committee by October 10, the corrections by October 25 and the Presentation in November. In the second case, the Diploma should be delivered to the supervisor, the student and the other 2 members of the 3-member committee by January 10, the corrections by January 25 and the Presentation in February

The three-member evaluation committee is given sufficient time to read, comment and evaluate the written document of the research thesis project. This time cannot be shorter than a week. The three-member evaluation committee may request additional time for reading and evaluating the written document of the thesis project.

Subsequently, the date of the presentation is decided by the three-member evaluation committee in collaboration with the student.

On the day of the presentation, students must deliver the final document to the three-member evaluation committee. One hard copy of the written thesis project plus a CD that includes the thesis document and the powerpoint presentation should be handed to the secretary of the program. Failure to hand in their thesis and the CD to the secretary of the program will result in withholding the thesis evaluation degree and the student will not be able to graduate.

During their presentation, the students should include a Three Minute Thesis (3MT) presentation to explain the breadth and significance of their research project to a non-specialist audience.

They should also include up to three slides to present their research grant proposal; title, significance and novelty

Students performing a thesis have the obligation to attend the presentation of a thesis of their colleague and ask him/her questions. In the justification of the grade of their thesis, reference will be made to whether they attended and whether they asked questions.

Students performing a thesis have the obligation to correct the thesis of a colleague and deliver the text with their comments and observations within 10 days. In the justification of the degree of their diploma thesis, it will be mentioned if they corrected the work of a fellow student.

To obtain more information regarding student obligations and how to assess the Thesis of another student please click here.

Ethics in Neuroscience

dmhsupport — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 10:26:50 +0000

Teaching hours and weekly schedule

This is a 4th semester course of approximately 1.5 weeks that corresponds to 2 ECTs and 18 total hours of teaching.

About this course

Recent advances in neuroscience have considerably improved our understanding of brain function. However, the study of brain’s mysteries often intersects with ethical and public policy concerns. This course aims at presenting and discussing philosophical, societal and scientific perspectives on major bioethical issues pertinent to neuroscience research. Several subjects will be covered, including ethics and brain organoids, ethical issues in animal research in neuroscience, the effects of pharmacological and surgical interventions on the brain/mind, issues of consent for participation in neuroscience research, therapy versus enhancement, brain imaging and mental privacy, neurobiology of decision-making, consciousness, personhood, end-of-life management and death.

Co-ordinators

Professor ETH Zurich, Associate Vice President for Digital Transformation & Governance, Chair of Bioethics, Health Ethics and Policy Lab

Andreas C Dracopoulos Director, and Levi Professor of Bioethics and Public Policy, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics

Overview

The course will present ethical issues in neuroscience research, controversies and arguments regarding neuroscience research involving both animal and human participants and the social implications of neuroscience research.

Titles of lectures and names of the lecturers

A/A	Ethics and Neuroscience	Lecturer
1	The beginning of life and the brain – Moral status of the embryo and path to personhood	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
2	Ethics and brain organoids	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
3	Ethics and neuroscience research involving animals	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
4	Ethics and neuroscience research involving humans	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
5	Ethics and brain-altering drugs	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
6	Informed consent in neuroscience research and applications	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
7	Neuroscience and law	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
8	Personhood, person identity, and the social brain	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
9	Ethics, brain imaging, and mental privacy	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
10	Consciousness, unconsciousness, and death	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
11	Ethics and neurotechnology: implants, brain-machine interfaces, and engineering the brain	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca
12	Film – Presentation of an ethics and neuroscience-related movie, followed by discussion	Effy Vayena, Jeffrey Kahn, & Marcello Ienca