Where and when

The school offers multidisciplinary training on multiscale approaches to the study of neurodevelopmental disorders, starting from the patient and integrating in vitro, in vivo, and computational models. The goal is to show how these different levels contribute to understanding pathological mechanisms and to the development of personalized therapies.
Guiding questions:
• How can we move from the laboratory to the patient?
• How can experimental discoveries be translated into effective therapies?

The school “Bridge the Gap: Multiscale Approaches in Neurodevelopmental Disorders” aims to address the challenges associated with neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases. The program will focus on the design and use of patient-derived models, in vivo platforms, and the growing importance of digital twins to predict personalized therapeutic responses.

Scientific and Educational Relevance

Neurodevelopmental disorders are highly heterogeneous and complex, and current diagnostic tools and therapies often fail to capture patient-specific features or predict treatment outcomes. The school addresses this challenge by introducing an integrated multiscale approach that includes clinical assessments, patient-derived in vitro models, in vivo systems, and computational modeling. The school:

• promotes integration across biology, engineering, neuroscience, and computational modeling;

• provides skills to connect different levels of analysis, from the neuron to the patient’s brain;

• fosters innovation in personalized medicine through experimental technologies and predictive models;

• stimulates open discussion on the obstacles that hinder full bench-to-bedside translation.

Educational Program

The course is structured into five thematic sessions:

The Human Starting Point: Clinical Practice, Diagnosis, and Open Questions
Introduction to neurodevelopmental disorders, diagnostic tools, and major unresolved challenges.

Personalized In Vitro Models
Neuronal models derived from patient cells to study pathological phenotypes and test personalized therapies.

In Vivo Models
Validation of in vitro findings and investigation of effects on neural circuits and behavior.

Digital Twins: Multiscale Computational Models
Integration of molecular, cellular, and clinical data to simulate pathological dynamics and treatment responses.

Hands-on: Building Digital Twins
Practical activities to develop predictive models of neural networks and the human brain based on real data.

Each session includes keynote lectures, expert talks, and open discussion with participants. This format is designed to train a new generation of researchers and professionals capable of integrating multiple disciplines to address emerging needs in neuroscience.

Speakers

Confirmed speakers:

• Federico Zara - IRCCS G. Gaslini (Genoa, Italy)
• Alberto Danieli - IRCCS E. Medea (Verona, Italy)
• Nael Nadif Kasri - RadboudUmc (Nijmegen, the Netherlands)
• Bruno Sterlini - University of Genoa (Genoa, Italy)
• Giacomo Preti - Aix-Marseille University (Marseille, France)
• Nina Doorn - University of Twente (the Netherlands)

Program

TBD

Organizers

Prof. Monica Frega

Prof. Gabriele Arnulfo

Sponsors

Fees

• Early bird registration (before May 31st): 300 Eur
• Late registration (Since June 1st): 400 Eur
• Social Dinner: 50 Eur, for school attendees
• Social Dinner: 80 Eur, for all the others

The registration cost includes:

• Access to the event for all the days of the school
• Hands on activities (on your own laptop)
• Coffee and lunch breaks

Dinner is optional and can be purchased up to 1 week before the event.