‘The Neurovascular Unit and Beyond –
How CNS Border Sites Dynamically Regulate Brain Homeostasis’
28 Sept - 16 Oct 2026, Bordeaux School of Neuroscience, Bordeaux, France; https://cajal-training.org/on-site/neurovascular-unit-beyond/
Course Directors:
Dr. Jerome Badaut, CNRS, France
Dr. Robert G. Thorne, Denali Therapeutics and the University of Minnesota, U.S.A.
Course Faculty & Instructors (in addition to course directors):
1. Martin Lauritzen, MD, PhD. University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
2. Nanna Macaulay, PhD. University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
3. Jean-Francois Ghersi-Egea, PhD. INSERM Lyon, France.
4. Christer Betsholtz, PhD. Uppsala University & Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
5. Britta Engelhardt, PhD. Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Bern, Switzerland.
6. Richard Daneman, PhD. University of California, San Diego, U.S.A.
7. Benoit Vanhollebeke, PhD. Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
8. Gou Young Koh, MD, PhD. KAIST, Daejeon, Korea
9. Joy Yu Zuchero, PhD. Denali Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.
10. Irena Loryan, PhD. Uppsala University, Sweden.
11. Caroline Menard, PhD. University Laval, Quebec, Canada
12. Henrik Zetterberg, MD, PhD. University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
13. Andre Obenaus, PhD. University of California Riverside, U.S.A.
14. Aurélie Rose De Rus Jacquet, PhD. Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada.
15. Brandon Kim, PhD. University of Texas-Dallas, U.S.A.
16. Anika Hartz, PhD. University of Kentucky, U.S.A.
17. Christophe Dubois, PhD CNRS CEBC, Villiers-en-Bois, France.
18. Valentin Nagerl, PhD. University of Gottingen, Germany
19. Sara Romanzi, PhD. Iconeus, Paris, France
20. Kavi Devraj, PhD. Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani – Hyderabad
Key topics to be covered in depth:
Introduction to the CNS barriers and related translational concepts; Overview of the cerebral blood vessel system and the importance of the glycocalyx; Choroid plexus and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics; Choroidal transport and metabolism and CSF fluid flow; Leptomeninges of the brain: physiology and barrier properties; The role of the brain barriers in orchestrating central nervous system immune privilege; Evolutionary aspects of the central nervous system barriers; Blood-brain barrier dynamics and modulation; Meningeal lymphatic vessels and physiology; Biotherapeutic delivery across the blood-brain barrier for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases; Small molecule delivery across the blood-brain barrier and neuro-focused PKPD concepts; Stress and blood-brain border changes; Brain blood biomarkers for clinical diagnostic and prognostic in brain disorders; CSF and brain interstitial fluid clearance mechanisms; CNS borders and neuroethology aspects
Applications for entry to the course will be accepted beginning in March-April 2026 and are expected to be competitive.
The full registration fee will be €5,000 for the three week course, which will cover tuition, accommodation, meals and social activities organized by the Venue Administration. Travel costs are not included. Depending on fundraising and other support, we anticipate a limited amount of registration and discounted fee support for the most qualified applicants. Please consider this exceptional training opportunity for your laboratory members and others with an interest in the CNS barriers field. More details to come!