The complexity of our human brain makes it the most complex organ to study and understand, in terms of its anatomic structure, functional circuit, and molecular diversity. Recently, emerging evidence indicates that RNA species, RNA modifications, and RNA regulations are most abundant in mammal brain, underscoring RNA diversity partially contributes to the brain complexity. Not surprising, RNA processing has been involved into many neuronal functions, including neuron differentiation, brain development, and learning and memory. In addition, the minor errors underlying RNA metabolism and regulation are deleterious to human health, especially leading to brain diseases. This symposium aims to strengthen the collaboration between the two cutting edge fields, RNA and neuroscience, and to stimulate brilliant ideas from the angle of RNA to better understand our brain and prevent brain diseases.

April 20th, 8:15-8:30a.m.

Opening remarks by Dr. Yichang Jia

8:30-9:30a.m.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Douglas Black, HHMI/UCLA

Title: Neuronal Mechanisms and Programs Regulating Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing

9:30-10:10a.m.

Speaker: Dr. Jisong Guan, Tsinghua

Title: Epigenetic priming of neurexin splicing protects memory from disturbance

Break, 10:10-10:30a.m.

10:30-11:10a.m.

Speaker: Dr. Yichang Jia, Tsinghua

Title: Disease mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration caused by RNA abnormalities

2:00-3:00p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Xiangdong Fu,UCSD

Title: Sequential Regulatory Loops for Neuronal Induction and Maturation in Human Cells

Break, 3:00-3:10p.m.

3:10-3:50p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Xiaohua Shen, Tsinghua

Title: LncRNA Haunt in embryonic stem cell and gene regulation

3:50-4:30p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Zilong Qiu, represented by Dr. Tian-Lin Cheng, Institute of Neuroscience (ION), Shanghai

Title: Autism-related protein MeCP2 suppresses nuclear microRNA processing via regulating DGCR8/Drosha complex

4:30-5:10p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Geng Wang, Tsinghua

Title: Non-coding RNA as mitochondrial retrograde signals

Break, 5:10-5:30p.m.

5:30-6:30p.m.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Don Cleveland, UCSD

Title: From Charcot to today: Mechanisms and therapy in ALS and beyond

Closing .

Time: Apr.20th.2015,8:15a.m.

Venue: Medical Science Building, Room B323

Host: Prof. Yichang Jia

举办单位：生命科学联合中心 & 清华-IDG/麦戈文脑科学研究院