Neuro-Immune Interactions in the Central Nervous System

Neuroinflammatory processes play critical roles in many central nervous system disorders. They involve complex interactions between the immune system and neural cells, mediated by intrinsic and extrinsic immune effector cells and molecules. Moreover, as research and technology in the field advance, new findings have spurred further exploration of the fundamentals of neuroimmunology. Research into the central nervous system (CNS) and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke and multiple sclerosis has revealed that neuroinflammation is integral to CNS disease trajectory. Genetics, microbiome and the blood-brain barrier can all exert effects on the multicellular responses to CNS injury and disease. This conference aims to assemble leading geneticists, neuroscientists, and immunologists to explore important questions regarding the role of the immune system in the central nervous system during both health and disease. By bringing together such a diverse group, participants will be able to exchange fundamental insights into neuroimmunology, such as immune control of CNS development, neuronal connectivity, myelination, circulation, and the role of the immune system in autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases of the CNS. In addition, sessions included in the program will focus on the applications of emerging technologies to questions in neuroimmunology, such as omics technologies, systems biology and single cell imaging. The conference will be paired with a conference on “Neurodegeneration: Biological Pathways Driving the Future of Therapeutic Development” thereby fostering extensive cross-disciplinary exchanges between these related fields