PART I--Brain stroke

Ischemic stroke is one of the most deadly chronic diseases in the world. Globally, someone dies of stroke approximately every 4 minutes. In ischemic stroke, the lack of blood supply to the brain leads to a decrease in the delivery of glucose and oxygen to the brain, resulting in damage to the blood-brain barrier, as evidenced by enhanced permeability and leakage.

This program is tailored to train early-career researchers and students in ischemic stroke. It aims to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills, preparing them for advanced academic or industry careers in biomedical science.

The target group includes graduate students, research fellows, and postdoctoral researchers passionate about ischemic stroke.

PART II--Brain-computer interface（BCI）related disease

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a type of severe traumatic disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Regulating the adaptive immune response to reduce secondary SCI is an effective way to improve the therapeutic effect of SCI.

This program aims to investigate whether cDC1s mediate the adaptive immune response by regulating the expansion of CD8+ T cells in SCI. It aims to provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of SCI by intervening in the immune inflammatory response.

The target group includes graduate students, researcher fellows, and postdoctoral fellows interested in neurological and clinical research.

Weekly mentorship meetings with Prof. ZHOU and a multidisciplinary research team discuss novel discoveries and new strategies for the treatment of ischemic stroke and SCI

Access to advanced laboratory facilities, including Flow cytometry, ELISA, Western blotting, Luxol Fast Blue staining and Transmembrane resistance assay

Real-time involvement in clinical trials and translational research projects

Opportunities to publish articles or abstracts in peer-reviewed journals and present research posters or papers at conferences

Critical thinking, analytical, and practical inquiry skills utilizing the latest approaches in healthcare and medical research

Skills in critical appraisal, research design, and understanding of the entire medical research process

Understand how to build a mouse model of ischemic stroke and SCI

Proficient in experimental techniques such as flow cytometry sorting of target cells.

Gain experience in clinical trial design and analysis.

Cultivate skills in scientific writing and grant preparation

PART I

Ischemic stroke with a focus on:

Exploring ischemic stroke-induced blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier destruction

Elucidating the blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier may be a new strategy for ischemic stroke

Validating new targets for ischemic stroke using gene disruption

PART II

SCI treatment with a focus on

Intervention in the immune-inflammatory response to treat SCI

Exploring the molecular mechanism by which cDC1 influence CD8+ T cell expansion in SCI.

Projects:

1. The effect of SDC4 in ischemic stroke; Prediction and validation of SDC4 downstream targets; Interaction of SDC4 with downstream targets

2. Conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s) in the lymph nodes aggravate neuroinflammation after SCI by promoting CD8+ T cell expansion—cDC1s affects neuroinflammation after SCI

Undergraduate students:

Candidates should be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in biology, biochemistry, or a related field. Prior coursework in molecular biology or immunology is preferred. Basic proficiency in English is required.

Graduate students:

Candidates must be enrolled in a Master’s, M.D. or Ph.D. program in biomedicine, immunology, or a related field. Familiarity with research methodologies and laboratory techniques is required. Fluency in English is mandatory.

Researcher fellows:

Applicants should have an advanced degree (M.Sc. M.D. Ph.D. or equivalent) in a biomedical discipline with some prior research experience. Candidates must demonstrate an ability to work independently and contribute to team projects. Proficiency in English is essential.

Doctors:

Candidates must hold an M.D. degree with clinical experience, preferably be familiar with immunology or preclinical medicine. Research experience is not mandatory but is a strong advantage. Applicants must be fluent in English.

Postdocs :

Postdoctoral fellows should have a Ph.D. in biomedicine, immunology, or an M.D. with preclinical medicine training, or the equivalent of education, training and experience. Candidates should be fluent in English.

Duration: 8 weeks

Daily Training Schedule:

Monday:

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Summary and analysis of experimental data

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: One-on-one mentorship meetings

Friday:

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Discuss the latest research papers in neuroscience and clinical medicine

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Laboratory operations and instrumentation training

Program Training Schedule:

1. Foundational Session

Time Duration: (1 week)

Topics:

Key concepts and theories in the field of ischemic stroke/SCI

Literature review or background studies

Format: Lecture, interactive Q&A, or multimedia presentations

2. Practical Session

Time Duration: (3 weeks)

Activities:

Practice exercises where participants replicate a research technique:

Collection of clinical samples: peripheral blood from patients and methods of storage

Establishment of the mouse model

Practice exercises where participants replicate a research technique

Guided small-group activities for solving a case or analyzing data

3. Focused Research Topics

Time Duration: (4 weeks)

Topics:

Latest Trends, Challenges, and Advanced Technologies

Format: Interactive lectures, panel discussions

4. Wrap-Up & Reflection

Time Duration: (2 days)

Activities:

Participant presentations or discussion of key takeaways

Feedback session (e.g. online survey or live Q&A)

Assessment Methods:

Submission of a final research report summarizing lab work and findings

Practical assessments during lab sessions

Certificates provided upon successful completion of the program

Feedback for Participants:

Participants can submit anonymous feedback via an online form at the end of the program. One-on-one feedback sessions will also be scheduled midway through the program.

The program is free of charge.

Program Coordinator: ZHOU Heng-Jun

Email: 1510027@zju.edu.cn

Phone: +86 139 8946 4002