The aim of this course is to provide a comprehensive coverage of the molecular mechanisms underlying chloroplast biogenesis, plastid to nuclear signalling and acclimation to high light.

Iwona Adamska, Universität Konstanz, Germany

Angela Falciatore, Stazione Zoologica "A. Dohrn", Napoli, Italy

Åsa Strand, Umeå University, Sweden

Francis-André Wollman, CNRS and Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris VI), France

The course will consist of lectures, journal club, and discussion sessions on chloroplast biogenesis, retrograde signalling and light acclimation in land plants, green algae and diatoms.

Participants are strongly encouraged to present their own work in short presentations. In the case of  too many requests for presentations, some participants will be asked to present posters instead.

There will be time for questions after each lecture and there will be a journal club /round table discussion at the end of each session.
To prepare for these discussions, participants (except those presenting their own work) will be sent selected publications on the workshop topics and will be asked to prepare one of the selected publication (journal club).
To help the other participants to get the point, they will write the question on a transparency, with the context, and all relevant information which can support the discussion.

TIPS for  preparation of the journal clubs: The paper should be presented as a ''research seminar'' (transparencies, no PowerPoint presentations).
The following points should be considered: 
1- scientific question addressed
2- experimental design
3- major results (do not show every single result)
4- open questions
5- importance of the work

The programme will be sent 1 week before to all registered participants.

Dates: 3 and 4 April 2008

Schedule: 8.55 - 17.00

Location: Université de Neuchâtel, Unimail, Chemistry building (G, "Institut de chimie"), room B1

Credit points: 1.0 credit point  (category: scientific activities)

Evaluation: attendance and active participation (Journal club or oral presentation)

Information: Please contact the NCCR education officer Dr. Christiane Bobillier or Prof. Jean-David Rochaix, Univ. Genève

Travel expenses: NCCR doctoral programme Ph.D. participants are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train (half-fare card, and 2nd class). 

This course is opened to all Ph.D. student, however priority is given to doctoral programme "Plants and their Environment" participants and NCCR Plant Survival Ph.D. students. Postdocs and diploma students are welcome depending on availability.

Minimum number of participants: 12. Maximum number of participants: 25. Course full.

Registration through the web only:  closed

Deadline: 17 March 2008