Of Mice and Men: A Crash Course in Comparative Neuroanatomy

Course description:

Research on rodent models of neurological, neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders is widely used with the aim of developing novel therapeutic strategies for these disorders. Such studies are inevitably based on the assumption that rodent and human brains are structurally and functionally similar enough to enable cross-species translation of research results. Often, however, researchers lack the knowledge in comparative neuroanatomy to adequately assess the potential and pitfalls of their translational approach.

In the present workshop, we provide an overview of the neuroanatomy of the human and mouse brain, focusing in particular on those brain regions most relevant to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. In a series of short lectures combined with a practical session, we will highlight similarities and differences between the two species. Overall, the workshop aims to provide students with a basic awareness of the strengths and limitations of translating brain research from mice to men.

Trainers: Prof. Dilja Krueger-Burg, Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Michael Schmeißer, students, and postdocs from the Institute of Anatomy, JGU Mainz

Target audience: doctoral students, postdocs, and clinician scientists (early career researchers) 

Maximum number of participants: 20

Minimum number of participants: 5

Next workshop: September 15, 2026, 09.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Venue: Vorklinisches Lehrzentrum, seminar room SR 5, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 13, JGU campus Mainz

Contact: If you are interested in this workshop, please send an email to Dilja Krueger-Burg (dkruegerburg[@]uni-mainz.de)             
               
For the workshop, 1 CP for scientific skills training can be credited.