Title: “Developing in vitro Assays of Myelination and Myelin Diseases”
Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Bilal Ersen Kerman- Histology and Embryology / Medipol University – REMER
Time: May 15, Wednesday at 15:40
Place: SBZ-14
Host: Bahar Değirmenci Uzun
Abstract: Dysmyelination or demyelination occurs in many neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD) and other leukodystrophies leading to disruption of electrical impulse conductivity, atrophy of neurons, and permanent functional deficit. The gaps in the understanding of underlying mechanism by which myelination occurs limit the efforts towards remyelination therapies. To study myelination in an in vitro environment, we developed a stem cell based myelination assay. Currently, we are using this assay to study a candidate gene that may control myelination. In addition, we are monitoring membrane dynamics during myelin formation in normal and perturbed states. Introduction of Computer-assisted Evaluation of Myelin (CEM), a semi-automated myelin quantification tool, made it feasible to quantify large data sets and evaluate drug candidates. As a next step, we are developing machine learning based algorithms for myelin quantification.
All interested are cordially invited.