Neuroscience and Beyond

How Do We Learn Language? Ever wonder how babies learn language? We've got answers! Join us for a fascinating chat with Prof. Nivedita Mani from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, as we uncover the secrets of infant language acquisition. In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, you'll learn: - How babies learn language: From attention and motivation to the impact of their egocentric...

In our latest episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Ali from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen about the challenges academics face! Ali highlights the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, their unintended consequences, and the need for structural reforms—particularly in education—to foster genuine equality. While well-intentioned, DEI policies can be manipulat...

In this episode, we hosted Dr. Ali Shaib, Group Leader at the Institute of Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Göttingen. We explored One-step Nanoscale Expansion (ONE) microscopy – revolutionary imaging technology transforming structural biology and diagnostics. Dr. Shaib shared how ONE microscopy enables the visualization of proteins at an unprecedented scale, and why neuronal receptors a...

Prof. Holtmaat points out that the current academic publishing system creates a cycle where funding, research, and publications are tightly linked, making it difficult to break free from its constraints.  Initiatives like bioRxiv are promising steps toward more open science and advocate for reducing the overemphasis on journal impact factors. However, the change requires coordinated efforts from u...

Have you ever wondered how an idea born in a university lab can transform into a life-changing invention? Meet Dr. Lukas Krainer, a physicist who completed his PhD at the prestigious ETH University in Zürich and turned his research into a thriving entrepreneurial journey. He’s the visionary behind Prospective Instruments, a company revolutionizing imaging with flexible and portable Two-Photon micr...

We are excited to introduce a brand-new series of our podcast called Challenges in Academia, where we will be exploring the challenges and hurdles faced in academia. In this new set of videos, we’ll be talking to academics from a wide range of backgrounds about the problems we all face in science — from research pressures to funding struggles, and much more.  The goal of the new series is simple:...

 In Episode 21 of Neuroscience and Beyond, we had the privilege of hosting Prof. Dr. Jörg Enderlein, a renowned physicist at the Third Institute of Physics, Georg August University in Göttingen. We explored the interplay between quantum mechanics and microscopy and discussed cutting-edge imaging technology advancements. 🎙️   Highlights of the episode include: 🔬 Key milestones in the development o...

Today, we have the pleasure of hosting Dr. Mateusz Ambrożkiewicz! He leads a lab at the Institute for Cell Biology and Neurobiology at Charité in Berlin, one of Europe’s largest university hospitals. Dr. Ambrożkiewicz’s lab studies how protein synthesis and degradation shape neuronal circuit assembly in a key brain region called the cortex, using advanced genetic tools and interdisciplinary approa...

In this episode, we’re honoured to host Prof. Dr. Ed Boyden, a pioneering neuroscientist, inventor, entrepreneur and MIT professor who is widely known for his immense contribution to life sciences, especially to the field of neuroscience. Prof. Boyden holds nearly 300 patents and leads advancements in neural technology, from optogenetics to expansion microscopy. These innovative tools are signific...

In this episode, we have the distinct privilege of speaking with Prof. Peter Dayan, director at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Germany. Prof. Dayan is renowned for using methods from machine learning to understand brain function, particularly linking neurotransmitter levels to prediction errors and uncertainty. His pioneering work in reinforcement learning and co-developmen...

Do you know how aptamers are revolutionizing brain research! How can you accurately distinguish between dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline in a biological fluid filled with countless other molecules? Join us as we explore the exciting world of aptamers with Prof. Nako Nakatsuka from the Laboratory of Chemical Nanotechnology (CHEMINA) at Neuro_X_EPFL. Nako’s pioneering research is reshaping ho...

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 strat...

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 fr...

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 verst...

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 socia...

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...

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...

 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 cuttin...

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...

 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 sh...

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...

In this episode, we talk to Prof. Andrea Antal, an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Göttingen and a group leader at the Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Laboratory in the Department of Neurology at the Medical University Göttingen. Prof. Antal has many years of experience developing treatments for patients suffering from chronic pain, depression, and mild cognitive impairment. The focus...

In this episode we talk to Prof. Tiago Outeiro, Full Professor of Aggregopathies, Director of the Department of Neurodegeneration and Restaurative Research at the University Medical Center Göttingen, a Professor at the institute of Neuroscience at the Newcastle University in the United Kingdom and Auxiliar Professor, Instituto de Fisiologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Portuga...

In this episode we talk to Prof. André Fischer, Director at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) site Göttingen and Professor at the Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen. The focus of this interview is on understanding epigenetics - the mechanism of inheritance and determination of some traits outside the DNA code. You will learn how t...

In this episode we talk to Prof. Alexander Gail, the head of Sensorimotor Research Group, German Primate Center and Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience and Professor for Sensorimotor Neuroscience and Neuroprosthetics at the University of Göttingen. The focus of this talk is on understanding the process of decision making and movement planning. You will learn what methods are used for r...