Resources and Tools for Cephalopod Biology

Organizers: Tessa Montague, Erica Shook, and Daniella Garcia-Rosales (Columbia University)

Max Number of attendees: 75

One Day Workshop: Weds, April 17, 2024

Brief description: We will introduce a range of computational resources and tools that can be used for designing, executing, and analyzing cephalopod neuroscience experiments. The workshop will include live demonstrations and hands-on activities to test out the methods yourself. Tools will include:

• Cuttlebase - plan surgical experiments and analyze anatomical data

• Genome tools - explore cephalopod genomes and protein structure

• CHOPCHOP - design guide RNAs for cephalopod gene editing

• Behavioral tracking - segment cephalopod behavioral data and perform pose estimation

• Connectomes - explore cephalopod connectomic data

• Behavioral design - discuss tank fabrication, lighting and camera design 

Genome Manipulation in Cephalopods

This workshop is supported by funding from the NSF EDGE program (2220587).

Organizers: Carrie Albertin, Josh Rosenthal, Bret Grasse (MBL)

Max number of attendees: 12

Two-Day Workshop, Weds, April 17 - Thurs, April 18, 2024.

Brief description: This will be a 2-day hands-on workshop covering genome manipulation and husbandry techniques in Euprymna. We will cover approaches for establishing proper culture conditions, sequence resources, and the basics of CRISPR design and delivery, including hands-on training in embryo handling and microinjection.

Care, Handling, and Welfare of Cephalopods

Organizers: Robyn Crook (SF State Univ) and Lisa Abbo (MBL)

Max Number of attendees: morning open/afternoon max 20

One Day Workshop: Thurs, April 18, 2024

Brief description: One-day workshop comprising half-day discussion of emerging topics and areas of recent progress in cephalopod welfare and husbandry, and half-day of hands-on training in anesthesia, injection/blood draws, health assessment techniques, tissue sampling (genotyping, etc.)

Recording Techniques for Cephalopods

Organizers: Galit Pelled (Michigan State Univ) and Judit Pungor (Univ of Oregon)

Max Number of attendees: 24

One Day Workshop: Thurs, April 18, 2024

Brief description:  This is a one day workshop covering optical and electrophysiological recording techniques in cephalopods. It will be composed of two modules. One module will be a review of approaches for light-based live imaging of fluorescent dyes and biosensors, along with a hands-on training for live imaging of neural activity using a calcium indicator. The second will cover principles of electrophysiological recordings, including system set up and electrode technology. They will be followed by tutorials in using data analysis software for processing these types of data.