Neuroscience and Beyond

Join us for an exciting conversation with Sandy Rathod, PhD, CEO of NeuroReality! In this episode, we explore the exciting world of neurotechnology with a focus on virtual reality as a cognitive rehabilitation approach. We discuss the potential of VR for cognitive enhancement and educational purposes and gain valuable perspectives on building successful collaborations with clinicians and the strategies behind developing such a product. Sandy shares her valuable experience in academia and the business world, as well as her advice to young researchers. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the future, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences, the European Neuroscience Institute, as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC.

Learn more on NeuroReality: https://neuro-reality.com/ Video inset from Koji's Quest provided by Dr. Sandy Rathod.


#neurotechnology #virtualreality #podcast #science #technology #healthcare #mentalhealth #innovation #entrepreneurship #phd #ceo #neuroreality #kojisquest

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Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev 
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı 
Beatriz Apgaua 
Mels Akhmetali

In this episode, we talk to Prof. Anthony Holtmaat, a leading researcher in the field of learning and memory from Geneva University Neurocenter. Join us as we explore the substrates of learning and memory, imaging techniques such as two-photon microscopy, synapses, the importance of the thalamus, and even the possibility of inserting false memories. Tune in to this enlightening episode and gain fresh perspectives on the inner workings of our remarkable brains!

Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences, the European Neuroscience Institute, as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC.

#Neuroscience #memory #learning #microscopy #science #sciencepodcast #brain#göttingen #IMPRS #MBExC #AcademicChatter #SciComm #PhD #imaging #OpenScience #OpenAccess

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro
00:02:37 Research of Prof. Holtmaat: substrate of learning and memory
00:03:46 What is learning and memory?
00:10:31 Do we want to understand only how the human brain works? 
00:12:35 Imaging techniques and tools for studying learning and memory
00:17:06 Two-photon calcium imaging 
00:24:10 Combining Two-photon microscopy with genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) 
00:28:38 Imaging from the cranial window in animals
00:33:30 What are synapses?
00:38:10 Prof. Holtmaat’s work on protein lifetimes
00:47:00 Why are there an enormous number of synapses in the cerebellum?
00:49:50 Using whiskers for studying learning
00:55:10 What is so important about the thalamus? 
01:00:59 Is it possible to insert false memories?
01:11:21 Neuronal changes in disrupted memory


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Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Beatriz Apgaua
Mels Akhmetali

Today's episode explores a critical topic: animal experiments in research. We're thrilled to have Dr. Roman Stilling with us. Dr. Stilling completed his Ph.D. at the European Neuroscience Institute in 2013 and went on to explore the fascinating role of gut bacteria in brain development as a postdoc. His passion for science communication led him to join the initiative “Tierversuche verstehen”, which means "Understanding animal experiments". Dr. Stilling is also a member of the FENS CARE committee (see below) and a host of the podcast called ‘Fabeln, Fell und Fakten’, where he discusses on a regular basis the topic of animal experimentation. In this episode, we'll discuss the vital role of animal experimentation in advancing biomedical research. Tune in to learn why animals are essential for breakthroughs in science and medicine.

If you want to meet him in person, he will be attending the upcoming @fens_org conference in Vienna Austria in June 2024.

https://www.fens.org/about-fens/our-organisation/fens-committees/care-committee

#neuroscience #animals #experiments #biomedical #research #3R #progress #science #podcast #tierversucheverstehen

Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) as well as the European Neuroscience Institute in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/neuro_beyond
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurosciencebeyond/
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Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Beatriz Apgaua
Mels Akhmetali

In this episode we speak with Prof. Dr. Julia Fischer, the head of the Cognitive Ethology lab at the German Primate Center (DPZ) and the author of the book “Monkeytalk: Inside the Worlds and Minds of Primates”. Together, we explore how baboon research in the wild is established and the range of methods used in scientific studies of non-human primates. Prof. Fischer shares her knowledge about social hierarchies, communication, cognition and evolutionary differences among baboon species. We continue with the burning question in baboon research and what can we, as humans, learn from it. The conversation extends to challenges in academia like open access, career uncertainty, women in science and the problems and solutions with the publishing industry. 

Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro
00:02:11 Do monkeys greet each other?
00:03:34 Establishing baboon research 
00:05:28 Social system among guinea baboons
00:08:06 How to study monkeys in their natural habitat?
00:14:16 Should you be afraid among the baboons?
00:18:54 Evolutionary differences among baboon species
00:23:11 Mother and child
00:25:02 Nature vs nurture
00:30:51 Non-human primate communication
00:39:12 Cognition studies in the wild  
00:51:11 Differences between baboons in the wild and in captivity (zoo)
00:55:35 Burning question in baboon research.
01:01:02 What can we learn about human behaviour from non-human primates
01:07:02 Challenges in academia: open access, uncertainty, women in science 
01:21:29 Publishing industry: problems and solutions

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Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Beatriz Apgaua
Mels Akhmetali

#neuroscience #brain #science #podcast #göttingen #IMPRS  #MBExC #AcademicChatter #SciComm #PhD #microscopy #imaging #OpenScience #OpenAccess

In this episode, we speak with Prof. Tobias Moser, the director of the Institute for Auditory Neuroscience Göttingen in Germany, also a spokesperson for the Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging. Professor Moser and his colleagues put tremendous effort into studying how the auditory system processes information quickly and precisely, aiming to understand its molecular and cellular mechanisms. Through various methods, they examine the structure and function of auditory synapses from molecular to system levels. In this episode, we will explore topics such as the mechanics of hearing and common causes of hearing impairment. We will also talk about cutting-edge technologies that aim to restore hearing in patients but also many more exciting topics.

Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC.
 
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Twitter:   / https://twitter.com/neuro_beyond
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Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Sabina Nowakowska
Beatriz Apgaua
Ahsen Konac
Mels Akhmetali


#neuroscience #brain #science #podcast #göttingen #IMPRS #MBExC #AcademicChatter #SciComm #PhD #microscopy #imaging #OpenScience #OpenAccess

In this episode we speak with Prof. Valentin Nägerl, the head of the Synaptic plasticity and super-resolution microscopy group at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience and Professor of Neuroscience and Bioimaging at the University of Bordeaux. Together, we delve into the intricacies of memory, demystifying terms like plasticity and synapses. Prof. Nägerl shares his knowledge about what is in between the neurons - the extracellular space. We continue with our recent theme of the super-resolution microscopy and explore another technique called SUSHI. The conversation extends to pressing topics like the reproducibility crisis and issues with the publishing system. Finally, we discuss the future of neuroscience.

Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:30 Early career and motivation for doing science

00:05:43 What makes a research institution world-class?

00:07:32 Establishing own research group in Bordeaux 

00:09:08 Research focus: superresolution microscopy, synapses and plasticity

00:13:39 Animal experiments in neuroscience

00:19:43 Diversity of neurons and synapses

00:20:42 Hippocampus, plasticity and memory

00:30:23 STED microscopy and phototoxicity problem in live imaging

00:40:35 Recording neural data from the awake animals

00:42:43 SUSHI - super-resolution shadow imaging

00:46:26 Studying extracellular space 

00:56:26 Problems in academia: reproducibility crisis  

01:01:30 Problems in academia: publishing system

01:03:13 Work-life balance

01:08:06 Future of neuroscience

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Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko

 In this episode, we speak with Christophe Letterrier, PhD, the leader of the NeuroCyto research group at the Institute of Neurophysiopathology, Aix-Marseille University. We dive deep inside neurons, discussing the structural support and trafficking system in the cells - the cytoskeleton. Visualising molecules comprising this structure requires super-resolution microscopy, hence, we explore cutting-edge techniques from the world of imaging. Dr. Leterrier emphasises the importance of the community and open science principles in research and tool development. Finally, we address challenges in the publishing system and the mindset required for an academic career. Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC. 

 Timestamps: 
00:00:00 Intro 
00:03:00 Early career and motivation for doing science 
00:09:17 Establishing own research group in Marseille, France 
00:11:47 Cell architecture, trafficking, cytoskeleton and the molecules involved 00:17:54 Origin of action potentials - electric pulses in the neurons. 
00:21:23 Relevance of basic research 
00:24:25 Neuronal cultures: studying neurons in a dish 
00:29:42 Super-resolution microscopy 
00:34:27 Single molecule localisation microscopy: STORM, SIM and imaging living cells 00:45:57 Open science algorithms for image analysis (SRRF) 
00:51:19 Combining different techniques: platinum replica electron microscopy and STORM 
00:55:39 Social media as a way of fostering scientific community
01:02:47 Failures in academia
01:07:07 Problems in academia: publishing and reviewing system 

 Follow us on social media for the latest updates!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/neuro_beyond 
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neurosciencebeyond 
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
 Svilen Georgiev 
Kristina Jevdokimenko 
Sabina Nowakowska 

#neuroscience #brain #science #podcast #göttingen #IMPRS #MBExC #AcademicChatter #SciComm #PhD #microscopy #imaging #OpenScience #OpenAccess 

In this episode, we talk to Prof. Jan Huisken, the head of the Multiscale Biology lab at the University of Göttingenan, an Alexander von Humboldt Professor and a renowned expert in microscopy. We unravel the making of light-sheet microscopes, exploring their pros and cons directly from the co-inventor himself! Prof. Huisken shares with us how to deal with big data issues and unveils his vision for smart microscopy, showcased in his innovative creation, the portable 'Flamingo' microscopes. We discuss the challenges of working in the interdisciplinary team behind this technology. You will also learn how such microscopes and tiny transparent fish can help us understand the development of embryos. As per usual, at the end we address problems within the academic publishing system. 

Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC. 

Timestamps: 
00:00:00 Intro 
00:02:25 Early career and motivation for doing science: fascination with optics 00:05:51 Being in constant move - fate of a scientist 
00:07:50 Physics and biology crossover 
00:10:45 Working in an interdisciplinary team 
00:13:57 Academic environment in the USA and Germany 
00:20:46 Research focus: advanced light microscopy techniques for studying development of living organisms 
00:26:32 Development and application of light-sheet microscopy 
00:37:34 Zebrafish - a model for embryo development and cardiac research 
00:43:30 Clearing - making biological samples transparent 
00:50:18 Flamingos - portable, accessible microscopes 
00:58:41 Improving reproducibility in biology with standardised and accessible microscopy 
01:01:50 Big Data in microscopy 
01:06:39 Smart microscopy 
01:16:51 Problems in academia: publishing system
 

Follow us on social media for the latest updates!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/neuro_beyond 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurosciencebeyond/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neurosciencebeyond 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neurosciencebeyond Neuroscience and Beyond Team: 
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko 
Sabina Nowakowska
 
#biology #science #podcast #göttingen #IMPRS #MBExC #AcademicChatter #SciComm #PhD #microscopy #imaging 

 In this episode, we talk to Prof. Constantin Pape, leader of the Computational Cell Analytics group at the Institute of Computer Science and a Junior Professor at the Georg-August University Goettingen. We explore the intersection of machine learning and biology, specifically focusing on the analysis of microscopy images. Prof. Pape explains the principles of the artificial neural networks and sheds light on the challenges accompanying their use in scientific research. Our conversation extends to the latest AI developments from big companies like OpenAI and Meta and how they can help scientists. Towards the end, Prof. Pape shares with us his thoughts on the issues with the academic publishing system, drawing comparisons between the fields of biology and machine learning. 
Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC. 

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Intro 
00:02:00 Early career and motivation for doing science 
00:04:46 Working culture in the USA (Janelia Research Campus) and Germany 00:11:21 Research interest: automating analysis of microscopy images 
00:13:55 Differences between light microscopes and electron microscopes 
00:20:11 Image analysis in biomedical research and algorithms used for it 
00:27:38 BigData in neuroscience: working with thousands of images to reconstruct the neuronal connections in the brain 
00:35:39 Challenges in developing generalised image analysis algorithms 
00:45:10 Segment Anything: general algorithm for identifying objects in images 00:49:24 Programming languages for image analysis: advice for beginners 
00:53:14 Next big thing in machine learning: multimodality, combining different types of data 
00:59:01 Problems in academia: publishing system 
01:08:50 Problems in academia: postdoc crisis and funding 

References: ImageJ/Fiji; Schindelin, J., Arganda-Carreras, I., Frise, E. et al. Fiji: an open-source platform for biological-image analysis. Nat Methods 9, 676–682 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.2019

Read more about: Segment Anything by Meta https://segment-anything.com/ ChatGPT by OpenAI https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

Intro music by penguinmusic from Pixabay Following footage downloaded from videvo.net: Storage of samples in a hospital setting. Ungraded Prores file by MaartenLCF A scientist adjusting the magnification on a microscope by Videvo Stock footage provided by Pressmaster Like and subscribe animation downloaded from SweetPhilMedia 

Follow us on social media for the latest updates! Twitter: https://twitter.com/neuro_beyond Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurosciencebeyond/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neurosciencebeyond Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neurosciencebeyond

Neuroscience and Beyond team: Svilen Georgiev Kristina Jevdokimenko Sabina Nowakowska #neuroscience #brain #science #podcast #göttingen #IMPRS #MBExC #AcademicChatter #SciComm #PhD 

In this episode, we talk to Prof. Ralf Heinrich, a Professor at the Department of Cellular Neurobiology at the University of Göttingen. The focus this time is on insects and the fascinating neuroscientific insights one can learn from them! We discuss evolutionary preserved mechanisms throughout the animal kingdom. We also talk about the research on cytokines - the signalling molecules involved in the immune system and apoptosis - a mechanism of cellular self-destruction. Prof. Heinrich delves into the mechanism of hearing in insects and their social behaviour. We also asked our guest to share his opinion on some problems in academia and advice for young scientists.

Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:05 Early career and motivation for doing science

00:04:12 Why Göttingen?

00:05:10 Working in academia in the USA and in Germany

00:08:55 Teaching and interacting with the students

00:14:06 Organising the biggest conference of the German Neuroscience Society

00:20:08 Research interest: cytokines in immunity, evolution of the nervous system

00:23:42 Insects as model organisms in neuroscience

00:25:44 The brain of an insect

00:36:51 The role of a molecule erythropoietin 

00:45:39 Apoptosis and neuroprotection - what is programmed cell death and how to prevent it?

00:54:30 How do insects hear?

00:56:14 Social behaviour of insects

01:01:59 Problems in academia: publishing system and peculiarities of the academic career

01:16:59 Advice for young scientists

References:

https://www.nwg-info.de/

Intro music by penguinmusic from Pixabay

Following footage downloaded from videvo.net:

Storage of samples in a hospital setting. Ungraded Prores file by MaartenLCF

A scientist adjusting the magnification on a microscope by Videvo

Stock footage provided by Pressmaster

Like and subscribe animation downloaded from SweetPhilMedia

Follow us on social media for the latest updates!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/neuro_beyond

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurosciencebeyond/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neurosciencebeyond

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neurosciencebeyond

Neuroscience and Beyond team:

Svilen Georgiev

Kristina Jevdokimenko

Sabina Nowakowska

#neuroscience #brain #science #podcast #göttingen #IMPRS #MBExC

#AcademicChatter #SciComm #PhD