2008 Canadian Stereology ShortCourse™ Series

"Applications of Unbiased Stereology
To Neural Systems"

Presented by the Stereology Resource Center
in cooperation with the University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Sponsors/Organizer: Co-sponsored by the Stereology Resource Center of Baltimore, MD, USA and the University of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec. The course is organized and taught by Dr. Peter R. Mouton, author of Principles and Practices of Unbiased Stereology: An Introduction For Bioscientists, published by The Johns Hopkins University Press (2002), and official United States representative of the International Society For Stereology.

Overview

Established in 1995, the Stereology ShortCourse™ provides an intensive day-long course in the theoretical and practical applications of unbiased stereology. This training focuses on the quantitative analysis of morphological structure, e.g., numbers of cells, length of fibers or capillaries, and other structures in biological tissue, with emphasis on design-based (unbiased) approaches. More than 1100 scientists, techicians and students have completed the SRC's Stereology Workshops and ShortCourses since inception.

Course Organizers/Instructor

The Stereology ShortCourse™ is organized and taught by Peter R. Mouton, Ph.D., Director of the Stereology Resource Center and official United States representative of the International Society For Stereology, in cooperation with Dr. Mark Burke and Professor Maurice Ptito of the University of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec. Please direct all questions and concerns related to this course to the Course Coordinator, Ms. Sammie Elkins (workshop@disector.com and 410.643.4901).

Background

In the past two decades, modern stereological techniques have become established as the state-of-the-art methodology for quantification of biological structure. A growing number of journal editors and grant reviewers favor these unbiased sampling and probability-based methods for morphometric analysis of biological tissue, and this trend is expected to continue.

Program Overview

• To familiarize participants with the theory and practice of modern stereology as applied to neural structure.
• To improve participants' skills in experimental design and critical analysis of quantitative morphometry of neural structure, with emphasis on design-based (unbiased) stereological approaches.
• To provide demonstrations and training in computerized stereology systems and related equipment.
• To establish an informal environment for fruitful exchange of information between stereologists, neuroscientists, and developers of technology interested in the stereological analysis of tissue sections.

The Stereology ShortCourse will include:

• Concise historical overview
• Lectures on the avoidance of stereological and non-stereological bias
• Formal lectures on the applications of modern stereology to neuroscience
• Techniques of systematic-random sampling and optimization for maximum efficiency
• Demonstrations of state-of-the-art computerized technology and stereology-related equipment

Special Guest Lecture

"The Benefits of Systematic Sampling in a Non-Human Primate Model
of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome"

Mark Burke, Ph.D.
Dept Physiolology
3744 Jean-Brilliant Ecole d'Optometrie
Montreal QC H3T 1P1
Canada

All participants will receive a CD containing PowerPoint slides, along with PDF reprints of relevant publications, and other information presented during the Stereology ShortCourse™.

Participants and Prerequisites

The Stereology ShortCourse™ has been designed for students and scientists with an interest in unbiased stereology, including technicians and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, independent investigators, program directors, and peer-reviewers of grants and manuscripts. No prerequisites exist for this introductory course beyond basic college-level mathematics and statistics.

Participants with prior practical and/or workshop experience in stereology or image analysis will benefit from a review of cutting-edge approaches, efficient study designs, recent advances in the field, and demonstrations of state-of-the-art computerized stereology systems. Manual, computerized, and automated approaches for morphometric analysis of biological tissue, with particularly emphasis on stereological approaches, will be discussed and demonstrated during this course.

Costs

Early Registration: $300.00 USD, on or before May 8, 2008.
Regular Registration: $350.00 USD, after May 8, 2008.

Since limitations exist on seats in the course and discounted rooms at the hotel, early registration is strongly encouraged; once the course is filled, a waiting list will be started.

Recommended Course Text "Principles and Practices of Unbiased Stereology: An Introduction For Bioscientists" (2002). Copies of this text will not be available at the course, but can be ordered directly from the publisher, The Johns Hopkins University Press at a 20% discount.

Payment Options

At the time of registration, full payment is required through a secure PayPal website (note: you do not need to be registered with PayPal to pay by credit card or check through this website). Due to extensive preparation of materials required for this course, only pre-registration will be accepted; on-site registration will not be available.

Credit cards or Check: Upon registration you will be asked to submit credit card information though a secured PayPal web page, which also acepts payment by check. After PayPal processes the payment you will be prompted to print your confirmation and receipt. PLEASE print your receipt at this time.

Purchase orders will not be accepted (check or credit card only). If you have any questions, need additional information, or wish to make special institutional payment arrangements for multiple registrations from the same institution, please contact the Course Coordinator (see below)

Refunds

Payments will be refunded in full, minus a $25.00 processing fee, for any reason until June 8, 2008; after that date, refunds will be made provided the space can be filled from the waiting list.

Accommodations

Discount sleeping room rates have been arranged for participants of the Stereology ShortCourse in Montreal, Quebec. As the course dates draw near registered participants will receive further information via e-mail. In the meantime, please direct questions to Ms. Sammie Elkins at the above contact information.

Contact Information

Ms. Sammie Elkins
Course Coordinator, SRC, Inc.
410.643.4901; sammie@disector.com
Online registration: http://www.disector.com/workshop
PDF brochure: http://www.disector.com/src-download.htm
Email: workshop@disector.com
Internet: http://www.disector.com

Good Science Through Good Stereology

{"Stereology Workshop", "Stereology ShortCourse", and "Applications of Unbiased Stereology to Neural Systems" are recognized service marks of the Stereology Resource Center}