Preclinical Psilocybin Research – From Theory to Practice

NBT is supporting a methodology-focused workshop on preclinical psilocybin research, organized by the Myers Neuro-Behavioral Core Facility at Tel Aviv University. The workshop covers behavioral approaches for measuring drug effects in animal models and introduces EthoVision XT as the analysis tool for behavior assessment.

Event details

• Date: June 21
• Time: 09:00 to 14:30 (with Q&A extending to ~15:00)
• Location: Tel Aviv University, Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences
• Target audience: PhD candidates and researchers from both academic and industry settings
• Registration: capacity is limited, so participation is by request. Please email liorbiko@tauex.tau.ac.il to apply for attendance.

Program

• 09:00-09:30 Arrival and coffee
• 09:30-09:40 Opening remarks (Lior Bikovski, PhD)
• 09:40-10:25 Opening lecture: Psilocybin – Key Knowledge Gaps and Perspectives (Nimrod J. Keynan, PhD)
• 10:25-11:10 How to measure behavioral effects of psilocybin in animal models (Lior Bikovski, PhD)
• 11:10-11:30 Coffee break
• 11:30-12:15 The importance of sex in psilocybin research (Anat Eldar-Boock, PhD)
• 12:15-13:00 Lunch break
• 13:00-14:30 Workshop: Using tracking software in rodent research (Mr. Nadav Schechter)
• 14:30 Closing

Speakers

• Nimrod J. Keynan, PhD. Scientific Manager, Institute for Psychedelic Research, Tel-Aviv University
• Anat Eldar-Boock, PhD. Research Manager, The Transgenic Mice, Cryopreservation and Assisted Reproduction (TMCR) Unit, Tel-Aviv University
• Lior Bikovsky, PhD. Director, Myers Neuro-Behavioral Core Facility, Tel-Aviv University
• Nadav Schechter. CEO, NBT New BioTechnology Ltd.

About the workshop

Psilocybin has re-emerged as one of the most actively studied compounds in translational neuroscience and psychiatry, with growing interest in its mechanisms of action, sex-dependent effects, and behavioral readouts in preclinical models. The speakers will go through the open knowledge gaps in the field and the methods for measuring drug-induced behavioral changes in rodents, and the day ends with hands-on training on EthoVision XT, the video tracking and behavioral analysis platform widely used in animal behavior research.

The afternoon session is led by NBT CEO Nadav Schechter and covers the practical side of using tracking software in rodent research - experimental design, arena setup, and the common pitfalls in data acquisition and analysis. It is meant for people starting a psilocybin project and for people already running a behavioral paradigm they want to tighten up.

Organizing partners

The event is organized in collaboration with the Myers Neuro-Behavioral Core Facility, the Transgenic Mice, Cryopreservation and Assisted Reproduction (TMCR) Unit, the Sagol School of Neuroscience, the Institute for Psychedelic Research at Tel-Aviv University, and NBT New BioTechnology Ltd.

Want to attend?

Spaces are limited. To request attendance, send an email to liorbiko@tauex.tau.ac.il. If you want to talk to NBT about EthoVision, behavioral arenas, or anything else related to your psilocybin or animal behavior research, get in touch with us directly.