Deciphering the Connectome with instruments and solutions from ZEISS

Analyzing the complex synaptic network formed by the billions of interconnected neurons is a key challenge for today's neuroscientists. Automated sample preparation, high throughput electron microscopes and the clearing of brain tissue are necessary prerequisites to view large networks. Clearing techniques are chemical treatments that make tissue transparent and allow a three-dimensional in-depth view of neural networks.

To actively support information sharing and dialogue among scientists, ZEISS is sponsoring two webinars on this topic. In cooperation with Science/AAAS, ZEISS is presenting "Connectomics at the cutting edge – challenges and opportunities in high-resolution brain mapping". In this webinar, Jeffrey Lichtman, Harvard University, and Moritz Helmstaedter, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research Frankfurt, will give an introduction to high-resolution connectomics and the methods currently used to create 3D reconstructions of the brain, discuss new advances and limitations and present their own research. The webinar will take place on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 12 noon EST. More information and registration at http://bit.ly/connectomics

In a second webinar hosted by ELSEVIER, Dr. Kwanghun Chung, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Viviana Gradinaru, Caltech – Division of Biology and Biological Engineering and Dr. Olga Efimova, National Research Center Kurchatov Institute in Moscow will present the techniques they use in their labs to rapidly clear intact brain and other tissues. "New Brain and Whole Body Tissue Clearing Techniques for Imaging" will be presented on November 3, 2014 at 1 p.m. EST. More information and registration at http://bit.ly/tissueclearing

For more advancements in confocal microscopy, imaging of cleared samples, and scanning electron microscopy visit ZEISS at Neuroscience, November 16 - 19, 2014, Washington, D.C., Booth #2501: www.zeiss.com/neuroscience