ISN Neuroscience School Akure 2025 Theme: Building Research Capacity in the Use of Alternative Experimental Models for Promoting the 3Rs in Neuroscience Research in Africa @ The Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA) Nigeria 19th – 24th, October 2025
About the School
Neurological disorders pose a significant health challenge in Africa generally and Sub-Saharan Africa in particular, impacting millions with conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to epilepsy to Parkinson’s disease to stroke, among others. The emergence of neurochemistry research in Africa has tremendous promise for tackling these conditions; nevertheless, its popularity has been hindered by costs and ethical concerns, particularly in the use of vertebrate animal models, among others. One of the ways forward from these limitations has been to embrace the 3R principles (replacement, reduction, and refinement) and explore alternative research models, which have become more acceptable in other parts of the world. It is therefore important to alert the research community in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, to this emerging scientific trend. Because of this, more people need to know about and use different research models for neuroscience in Africa, such as the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), the lobster cockroach (Nauphoeta cinerea), the roundworm (Caenorhabditis elegans), and cultured neuronal cell lines, among others.
For this school, the main goal is to teach postgraduate students from Africa both the theory and practice of using different research models in neurochemistry research. This is done to make the 3Rs more acceptable and useful in neuroscience research in Africa. The synopsis of this school has been carefully designed to cover key aspects of behavioral, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, considering the significance of neurochemical interactions at biochemical and molecular levels and their interplay with the behavioral physiology of human neurological conditions. The school also aims to evaluate the state of translations of these neuroscience research models for human use, provide adequate knowledge and skills for the scientific suitability of these alternative models, and establish formidable and strategic collaborations for future prospects that will explore novel techniques and challenges aimed at improving neuroscience research and outcomes in Africa.
Who should apply to this school?
Masters, PhD, & early Postdoc scholars from Africa countries who are pursuing careers in the fields of neuroscience, biochemistry, biomedical science, pharmacology, toxicology, public health and other allied health sciences Applicants should display strong motivation for neuroscience research. Previous knowledge about the use of alternative research models is not required, but applicants must show strong passion to acquire new skills in the use of these models particularly as it pertains to neuroscience research in Africa.