Neuroscience and Beyond
- Episodes
- 56
- Released
- monthly
- Latest episode
- Oct 26, 2026
About the podcast
We are young researchers at the forefront of neuroscience in Göttingen, Germany, driven by a passion for discovery and communication. In our monthly conversations, we go beyond publications to discuss the real stories with leading experts: their revolutionary work, their personal paths, the struggles they've overcome, and the big questions driving the field forward.
Our mission is built on a simple, powerful idea: knowledge is the only resource that grows when shared. Through open dialogue, we aim to build a bridge between cutting-edge research and the curious minds eager to understand it.
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences, the European Neuroscience Institute in Göttingen, the Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging" in Göttingen and SFB1286 Quantitative Synaptology in Göttingen.
This podcast reflects our personal views and is separate from our affiliated institutions.
Episodes 56
What Happens to Your Brain as You Age? | Prof. Bogdan Draganski
What if brain aging is not as inevitable as we think? Can we protect our brains from dementia? And could simple changes in midlife give us more years of healthy cognitive function?In this episode we speak with …
Show notes
What if brain aging is not as inevitable as we think? Can we protect our brains from dementia? And could simple changes in midlife give us more years of healthy cognitive function?
In this episode we speak with Prof. Bogdan Draganski, a neurologist and neuroscientist based in Switzerland, about the fascinating science of brain aging, neurodegeneration, and brain plasticity.
We explore what actually happens to our brains as we get older, why Alzheimer's pathology can begin decades before the first symptoms, and how advanced MRI techniques allow scientists to investigate changes in brain structure, myelin, iron, and vascular health.
We also discuss some surprising discoveries: how learning to juggle can change brain structure, why the motor cortex may be particularly vulnerable to aging, how the brain adapts after injury, and what electroconvulsive therapy can teach us about brain plasticity.
One particularly striking part of our conversation concerns research linking three modifiable risk factors, high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, to the timing of dementia.
In this episode, we discuss:
🧠 What is normal brain aging, and does it really exist?
🔬 How can Alzheimer's pathology develop 20 years before symptoms?
🧬 What can MRI reveal about myelin, iron, and neurodegeneration?
🤹 How does learning physically change the brain?
⚡ What can electroconvulsive therapy teach us about brain plasticity?
❤️ How do blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking influence dementia risk?
🌳 How do air pollution, green spaces, and our social environment influence brain health?
💡 What can we do to protect our cognitive abilities as we age?
Prof. Draganski brings together perspectives from clinical neurology, neuroscience, brain imaging, and public health to explore one of the biggest questions in modern medicine: how can we maintain a healthy brain throughout life?
If you enjoy in-depth scientific conversations, subscribe to the channel and share your thoughts in the comments.
Neuroscience and Beyond Team:
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Laura van Agen
Svilen Georgiev
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
#Neuroscience #BrainAging #BrainHealth #Alzheimers #DementiaPrevention
How the Brain Turns Memories Into Actions | Dr. Oliver Barnstedt
What is a memory, and how does the brain transform our past experiences into actions?In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, I speak with Dr. Oliver Barnstedt, neuroscientist and group leader at the …
Show notes
What is a memory, and how does the brain transform our past experiences into actions?
In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, I speak with Dr. Oliver Barnstedt, neuroscientist and group leader at the European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, whose research explores the neural circuits underlying memory and behavior.
We discuss what memories actually are, how they are represented across neural circuits, and why remembering is not simply a matter of retrieving a fixed record of the past. Dr. Barnstedt explains how his lab uses techniques such as calcium imaging and two-photon microscopy to observe the activity of hundreds of neurons and investigate how memory-related brain regions communicate with the systems involved in action and behavior.
We also explore the relationship between the hippocampus and other brain regions, including the nucleus accumbens, and discuss an often-overlooked structure called the mammillary body and its potential role in memory.
Along the way, our conversation takes us from the neuroscience of memory and decision-making to consciousness, Alzheimer's disease, scientific discovery, and the challenges of understanding the brain as an interconnected system.
#Neuroscience #Memory #Brain #Podcast #Science
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
The Next Chapter of Neuroscience and Beyond Podcast | A Channel Update
After three years, around 40 long-form conversations, and listeners and viewers from more than 130 countries, Neuroscience and Beyond is entering a new chapter.In this video, we wanted to take a moment to say …
Show notes
After three years, around 40 long-form conversations, and listeners and viewers from more than 130 countries, Neuroscience and Beyond is entering a new chapter.
In this video, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast, share a personal update after recently defending my PhD, and explain where we want to take Neuroscience and Beyond next.
Over the coming months, we will be simplifying what we do and putting more of our time and energy into what we believe matters most: thoughtful, long-form conversations with leading scientists from around the world.
We want to explore major topics in neuroscience more deeply - from the gut–brain axis, sleep and brain–machine interfaces to mental health, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions, sport and the brain, cognitive fatigue, cognitive enhancement, and much more.
And we want you to help shape what comes next.
Which scientists would you like to see on the podcast? Which topics should we explore? And if you could ask a particular scientist one question, what would it be?
Leave your suggestions in the comments below or send them to us by email. Your question might even become part of a future conversation.
In the meantime, nothing is stopping. Until we officially kick-start this new chapter, we will continue releasing content as we have been doing so far, while working behind the scenes on what comes next.
Throughout the rest of 2026, we will be developing this next phase, reaching out to potential guests, planning new topics, and refining the format, with the aim of properly beginning this new chapter of Neuroscience and Beyond in 2027.
To everyone who has watched, listened, subscribed, shared an episode, left a comment, joined us as a guest, or supported this project over the past three years: thank you.
We are excited about what comes next.
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van AgenHow Our Brains Process Numbers | Prof. Andreas Nieder
Walk into a room and you instantly know, roughly, how many people are there, without counting. So does a monkey. So does a crow. So, strangely enough, does a bee! In this episode, Andreas Nieder - Professor of …
Show notes
Walk into a room and you instantly know, roughly, how many people are there, without counting. So does a monkey. So does a crow. So, strangely enough, does a bee!
In this episode, Andreas Nieder - Professor of Animal Physiology at the University of Tübingen and one of the world's leading voices in cognitive #neuroscience - takes us inside the brain circuits that let humans and animals alike sense "how many."
Nieder has spent his career recording single neurons in crows, macaques, and human patients through rare clinical collaborations to understand the brain's #NumberSense. He discovered neurons in the prefrontal and parietal cortex that respond most strongly to a preferred number, regardless of how it is presented. Studying these "number neurons" reveals how the brain supports memory, abstraction, and complex thought.
In the episode we talked about:
- Why mathematical #prodigies rely on memory rather than a different "math brain"
- How the concept of zero became one of humanity's greatest intellectual discoveries
- Why birds and mammals independently evolved similar number-processing #brain networks
- What #dyscalculia is and why it affects approximately 5% of the population
- How brain injuries can impair numerical cognition and mathematical abilities
This is a conversation for anyone curious about #cognition, #mathematics, animal intelligence, or what it really means for a network of neurons to "understand" an abstract idea.
00:00 - Meet the Scientist Decoding the Brain's Number Sense
00:21 - Do Animals Really Understand Numbers?
01:16 - Why Numbers Are Among the Brain's Most Abstract Ideas
02:08 - Symbolic vs. Non-Symbolic Number Representation
05:32 - How Scientists Test Animal Numerical Abilities
08:40 - What Happens in the Brain When We Process Numbers
13:05 - Recording Single Neurons in the Human Brain
20:19 - The Brain Regions Behind Number Sense: Prefrontal and Parietal Cortex
23:50 - When the Brain Loses Its Ability to Understand Numbers
26:38 - Math Prodigies: Genius or Exceptional Memory?
33:30 - How Animals Understand the Concept of Zero
42:36 - 300 Million Years of Evolution: The Origins of Number Sense
50:22 - Can We Read Numbers Directly From the Brain?
01:00:45 - Final Thoughts: The Brain's Ability to Understand Numbers
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#Neuroscience #AnimalCognition #BrainScience #CognitiveScience #Mathematics
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
Cancer and the Brain: How Neurons Help Tumors Grow | Prof. Frank Winkler
Could the nervous system be helping cancer grow? Research in #cancer #neuroscience is revealing a surprising two-way communication between neurons and cancer cells that is changing how we understand tumor …
Show notes
Could the nervous system be helping cancer grow? Research in #cancer #neuroscience is revealing a surprising two-way communication between neurons and cancer cells that is changing how we understand tumor growth and opening new possibilities for treatment.
In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, we speak with Prof. Frank Winkler about how cancer cells hijack the brain's communication networks, why #glioblastoma is one of the most challenging brain tumors to treat, and how discoveries at the intersection of neuroscience and #oncology could inspire a new generation of cancer therapies.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What cancer neuroscience is and why it matters
- How neurons communicate directly with cancer cells
- Why glioblastoma is so aggressive and therapy-resistant
- How tumors hijack neural circuits to support their growth
- The role of stress, sleep, and lifestyle in cancer research
- What the future of neuroscience-inspired cancer therapies could look like
About our guest:
Prof. Frank Winkler is Professor of Neuro-Oncology at Heidelberg University Faculty of Medicine and Managing Senior Physician in the Department of Neurology. His pioneering discoveries of direct communication between neurons and cancer cells helped establish the field of cancer neuroscience. In 2025, he was awarded the #BrainPrize for his groundbreaking contributions to the field.
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Neuroscience and Beyond, leave a like, and share your thoughts in the comments.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#CancerNeuroscience #Glioblastoma #BrainCancer #Neuroscience #CancerResearch #NeuroOncology #BrainScience
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
Sleep, Psyche, and the Buddhist Mind | Dr. Tony Fernando
What is sleep really? Why do we overthink? And why do so many people struggle to find peace in modern life?In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, I speak with Dr. Tony Fernando - psychiatrist, sleep …
Show notes
What is sleep really? Why do we overthink? And why do so many people struggle to find peace in modern life?
In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, I speak with Dr. Tony Fernando - psychiatrist, sleep physician, and author of Life Hacks from the Buddha.
We explore the neuroscience of sleep, including REM and non-REM sleep, circadian rhythms, insomnia, sleep anxiety, shift work, jet lag, and how stress affects sleep quality.
But this conversation goes far beyond sleep science.
Drawing from psychiatry, neuroscience, and Buddhist philosophy, Dr. Fernando shares practical insights on overthinking, mindfulness, suffering, compassion, technology, human connection, and the modern search for meaning.
We also discuss:
- Why thoughts are often unreliable
- How Technology Hijacks Attention
- Mindfulness and meditation
- The difference between needs and wants
- What dying patients taught him about life
This is a conversation about sleep, psychology, the mind, and what it means to live well in a chaotic world.
Guest: Dr. Tony Fernando
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
🔗Link to the video: https://youtu.be/kKBGTew8JGs
#Sleep #Neuroscience #Psychology #Mindfulness #Buddhism #MentalHealth #Insomnia #Meditation #Podcast
Building a Better Future for Science | Challenges in Academia with Prof. Tiago F. Outeiro
Are we evaluating scientists in the wrong way?In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, Prof. Dr. Tiago Outeiro discusses some of the biggest challenges facing science:🔬 Too many researchers competing for too …
Show notes
Are we evaluating scientists in the wrong way?
In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, Prof. Dr. Tiago Outeiro discusses some of the biggest challenges facing science:
🔬 Too many researchers competing for too few positions
📉 Pressure to publish and overreliance on impact factors
🤝 The urgent need for more staff scientists and stable research careers
⚖️ Burnout, work-life balance, and changing academic culture
🚀 How AI and new technologies may reshape scientific research
“We need to work together from the top to the bottom, from the bottom to the top to try to change things.”
Prof. Dr. Tiago Fleming Outeiro is Professor of Aggregopathies and Director of the Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration at the University Medical Center Göttingen. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of developing new therapeutic approaches.
To learn more about his research, watch our episode on Parkinson’s Disease: Early Diagnostics and the Future of Treatment: https://youtu.be/dFmhmOv75q0?si=GcQ1UsTGYSpcDnMV
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and honest conversations about academic life.
#Academia #Science #Research #PhD #Postdoc #Neuroscience #Parkinsons #Alzheimers #AcademicLife #Scientists #STEM #ResearchCulture #AI #Podcast #NeuroscienceAndBeyond
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
From Pixels to Perception: Vision, Memory, Mood and Brain Disease Cures | Prof. Nicole Rust
Your eyes don't see the world; your brain constructs it. But how, and what does it miss along the way?In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, we speak with Prof. Nicole Rust, Professor of Psychology at …
Show notes
Your eyes don't see the world; your brain constructs it. But how, and what does it miss along the way?
In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, we speak with Prof. Nicole Rust, Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, whose research combines behavioral experiments, #neural recordings, and #computational models to understand how we see, remember, and experience the world. Recently, she decided to embark on a new journey and apply her expertise to study the neuroscience of mood.
We explore how the brain transforms raw light into meaningful #perception, from the #retina through a hierarchy of visual areas all the way to object recognition in the inferotemporal cortex. We discuss how #attention shapes what enters #memory, why humans can recognize thousands of images seen only once, and why mood remains one of the hardest problems in neuroscience.
The conversation also unpacks the central argument of her book, Elusive Cures: that treating conditions like depression will require abandoning the "broken domino" model of disease and embracing the brain as a complex dynamical system.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How the #brain transforms light into perception
- Why attention acts as a filter and why we miss more than we think
- How the brain stores thousands of images with striking detail after just a single viewing
- Why we still cannot look at a brain and determine what mood is
- What hinders us from developing more treatments for brain disorders
- Why we should see the brain as a complex dynamical system
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
Timestamps:
00:00 How the Brain Processes Visual Information
04:03 Object & Face Recognition
07:07 How Attention Filters What We See
09:57 Visual Memory: How the Brain Stores Thousands of Images
14:38 Memory, Imagination, and Emotion
19:00 The Jennifer Aniston Neuron
25:45 How the Visual System Inspired AI
30:00 How Prof. Rust Moved from Vision to Mood Research
39:00 Measuring Mood in the Brain
43:33 How Mood Shapes Behavior and Decision-Making
49:30 Elusive Cures: Why Neuroscience Hasn't Cured the Brain
52:50 The "Broken Domino" Model and Why It Has Failed Us
56:14 The Brain as a Complex Dynamical System
01:01:20 Who Should Set the Research Agenda?
01:06:04 Depression, Society, and the Limits of Biology
01:09:59 How to Study the Brain as a Complex System
01:12:20 Aging, Sleep, and Brain Balance
01:18:10 The Take-Home Message from Elusive Cures
01:19:30 Consciousness: The Hard Problem and What Neuroscience Can Offer
#Neuroscience #VisualNeuroscience #Memory #Perception #MoodNeuroscience #Depression #BrainHealth #ElusiveCures #ComplexSystems #BrainResearch #ScienceCommunication #BrainHealthMatters #NeuroscienceAndBeyond
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
Is Academia Truly Diverse? | Challenges in Academia with Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt
Does international representation automatically mean #diversity in academia?In this episode, Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt reflects on what diversity in science truly means, going beyond background to include different …
Show notes
Does international representation automatically mean #diversity in academia?
In this episode, Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt reflects on what diversity in science truly means, going beyond background to include different ways of thinking, working, and collaborating.
We talked about:
- Why diversity is more than international representation
- The importance of different thinking styles in science
- Why interdisciplinary research is still difficult to achieve
- The role of trust and open collaboration in successful labs
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and honest conversations about academic life.
🔗 Link to the full video: https://youtu.be/cL85_Zp_0C0
#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers #PhDLifeSupported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
Parkinson’s Disease: Early Diagnostics and the Future of Treatment | Prof. Tiago Outeiro
Can Parkinson’s be detected years before symptoms appear, and can we slow it down early?In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, we speak with Prof. Tiago Outeiro about the future of Parkinson’s research …
Show notes
Can Parkinson’s be detected years before symptoms appear, and can we slow it down early?
In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, we speak with Prof. Tiago Outeiro about the future of Parkinson’s research, from early diagnosis to prevention and emerging treatments.
We explore how misfolded proteins like alpha-synuclein spread silently through the nervous system, and how early signals - such as REM sleep disturbances - may reveal the disease long before clinical symptoms. The conversation also covers advances in biomarker technologies and new therapeutic strategies targeting protein aggregation, metabolism, and cellular clearance, highlighting where the field is making real progress today.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How alpha-synuclein aggregation drives neurodegeneration
- Early warning signs like REM sleep behavior disorder
- How biomarkers may detect Parkinson’s before symptoms
- Why exercise is currently the most effective intervention
- The role of metabolism, lipids, and protein clearance
- New therapies: antibodies, GLP-1 drugs, and beyond
- Why early diagnosis is key to successful treatment
Watch the episode to learn how Parkinson’s could be detected earlier and treated more effectively, and if you want to go deeper into the basics, check out our Episode 5 with Prof. Tiago Outeiro.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
🔗Link to Episode5 withTiago Outeiro: https://youtu.be/UF4h07lml0M?si=78j0MwHFKiWuCcUI
Timestamps
00:00:00 Introduction & Why Parkinson’s Detection Must Happen Earlier
00:01:10 What Is Alpha-Synuclein and Why It Matters00:09:00 Where Does Alpha-Synuclein Accumulate in the Brain and Body?
00:16:30 Who Is at Risk? Genetics, Sleep Disorders & Early Warning Signs
00:20:10 Preclinical Symptoms: Loss of Smell, Constipation & Depression
00:27:00 Environmental Risk Factors: Pesticides & Neurotoxins Explained
00:33:10 Can Parkinson’s Be Prevented? Current Strategies & Limitations
00:34:00 Why Exercise Is the Most Effective Disease-Modifying Treatment
00:36:00 Monoclonal Antibodies: Do They Work for Parkinson’s?
00:38:00 GLP-1 Drugs & Metabolic Therapies00:41:00 What Type of Exercise Actually Helps the Brain?
00:45:20 Why Combination Therapies Are So Difficult to Develop
00:49:00 Why Early Detection Is Critical for Successful Treatment
00:50:10 What Are Biomarkers? Understanding Early Diagnosis Tools
00:56:00 Future of Diagnostics01:05:40 Lipids, Metabolism & the Hidden Drivers of Neurodegeneration
01:08:40 Where Should Research Focus Next?
01:14:30 Advice for Young Scientists & Clinicians#Neuroscience #Neurodegeneration #Parkinsons #Alzheimers #Synuclein #BrainHealth #ProteinAggregation #Biomarkers #Neurobiology #Exercise #BrainHealthMatters #HealthyAging #NeuroProtection
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
Why Scientific Publishing Is a $Billion Rip-Off | Challenges in Academia with Prof. Randy Schekman
Why do journal names still shape scientific careers, and who pays the price?Prof. Randy Schekman, a nobel prize laureate, discusses structural problems in #AcademicPublishing, including the pressure to publish …
Show notes
Why do journal names still shape scientific careers, and who pays the price?
Prof. Randy Schekman, a nobel prize laureate, discusses structural problems in #AcademicPublishing, including the pressure to publish in high-impact journals, rising #OpenAccess fees charged by commercial publishers, and long peer-review processes that can slow down scientific progress. He argues that the system can reward journal prestige over scientific contribution and may create inequalities when some researchers have access to additional funds to cover publication costs.
Prof. Schekman suggests that funding agencies and governments may need to negotiate firm caps on publication fees and reconsider how research quality is evaluated. He also emphasizes the role of society-run journals and the continued importance of peer review, alongside #Preprints.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and honest conversations about academic life.
#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers #PhDLifeSupported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
Brain Wiring at Molecular Scale and The Connectomics Revolution | Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt
How can we map the brain’s wiring at molecular resolution, and what are the realistic promises and limits of connectomics?In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, we speak with Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt, group …
Show notes
How can we map the brain’s wiring at molecular resolution, and what are the realistic promises and limits of connectomics?
In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, we speak with Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt, group leader at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in Cambridge, UK), where his lab investigates #brain wiring at the molecular level. With previous research experience at ISTA Austria and E11 Bio, he works at the intersection of #ExpansionMicroscopy, molecular labeling, and scalable circuit reconstruction.
Beyond defining #connectomics, this conversation explores the technical, conceptual, and organizational challenges of mapping #NeuralCircuits at scale.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why synapses operate at the nanometer scale, and why this pushes imaging technology to its limits
- How physical tissue expansion bypasses the diffraction limit of light #microscopy
- Why whole-brain connectomes are rare “hero datasets” and what prevents comparative connectomics
- How combinatorial neuronal barcoding could reduce manual proofreading in circuit reconstruction
- Why new research models like Focused Research Organizations aim to close the gap between #academia and #industry.
Timestamps
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:00 Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt’s research focus
00:02:20 How Small Is a Synapse?
00:05:20 How Can We See Synapses?
00:08:00 What Can Connectomics Realistically Reveal?
00:13:00 Connectomics With Electron Microscopy vs. Light Microscopy
00:16:00 Expansion Microscopy
00:18:48 What Is Neuronal Barcoding?
00:26:00 Are Glia Part of Connectomics?
00:29:15 Does Expansion Microscopy Introduce Artifacts?
00:32:00 What Is E11 Bio and a Focused Research Organization?
00:38:45 From ISTA to Cambridge - Building a Lab
00:44:48 What Are Connectopathies?
00:54:00 Advices to Graduate Students
Read the most recent preprint here: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.26.678648v1
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content. Watch our new episode to explore how connectomics, expansion microscopy, and neuronal barcoding are reshaping our ability to map the brain at molecular resolution.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
Structural Barriers in Research | Challenges in Academia with | Prof. Markus Sauer
Why is it becoming harder to build a stable career in science?Prof. Sauer reflects on structural pressures in academia: competitive #ResearchFunding, short-term contracts, and increasing administrative burdens …
Show notes
Why is it becoming harder to build a stable career in science?
Prof. Sauer reflects on structural pressures in academia: competitive #ResearchFunding, short-term contracts, and increasing administrative burdens. He discusses how evaluation metrics and grant systems shape career paths and may discourage long-term, high-risk research.
He highlights the need for sustainable funding structures and realistic career prospects for early-career scientists.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and honest conversations about academic life.
#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers #PhDLife
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
How Super-Resolution Microscopy Changed Brain & Cancer Research | Prof. Markus Sauer
How do you see structures inside cells that are smaller than the wavelength of light? Why was the diffraction limit considered an unbreakable barrier for decades, and how did super-resolution microscopy change …
Show notes
How do you see structures inside cells that are smaller than the wavelength of light? Why was the diffraction limit considered an unbreakable barrier for decades, and how did super-resolution microscopy change everything?
In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, we explore the frontiers of biological imaging with Prof. Markus Sauer, a pioneer of modern super-resolution microscopy. Prof. Sauer developed direct STORM (dSTORM), a technique that enables visualization of molecular organization at the nanometer scale. He leads the super-resolution microscopy lab at the Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, where his team continues to push the boundaries of cellular imaging.
We discuss how single-molecule localization microscopy works, what are the technical challenges that we had to overcome to see the nanometer molecular world, and how these methods are now central to research in neuroscience, immunology, and translational science. The conversation also explores expansion microscopy, quantitative imaging, and the challenges of interpreting increasingly detailed biological data.
This episode takes a closer look at how improved imaging reshapes our understanding of cells, and why higher resolution often leads to deeper questions.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- Important barriers to brake in order to achieve super-resolution microscopy
- The principles behind dSTORM and single-molecule localization
- What super-resolution reveals about molecular organization in neurons and in the context of immunology
- Expansion microscopy and its impact on modern cell biology
Timestamps
00:00:00 Introduction & Episode Overview
00:02:10 Markus Sauer’s Path into Microscopy
00:08:40 What Is the Diffraction Limit and Why It Matters
00:12:30 The Idea Behind Super-Resolution Microscopy
00:15:20 How dSTORM Works at the Single-Molecule Level
00:30:00 From Physics to Biology: Applications of Microscopy
00:42:40 Expansion Microscopy
00:47:30 What is Next in Microscopy? What are the limitations?
00:54:00 Current Challenges and Future Directions
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#Neuroscience #SuperResolutionMicroscopy #dSTORM #Microscopy #CellBiology #DiffractionLimit #ExpansionMicroscopy #Neuroimaging #SciencePodcast #Biophysics
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
How a Nobel Prize Discovery Changed Cell Biology | Vesicles, Insulin & Parkinson’s | Randy Schekman
How do cells move cargo with such precision? What controls vesicle trafficking, and why does this process shape everything from cellular communication to disease? And what can extracellular vesicles really …
Show notes
How do cells move cargo with such precision? What controls vesicle trafficking, and why does this process shape everything from cellular communication to disease? And what can extracellular vesicles really reveal about health, aging, and neurodegeneration?
In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, Professor Randy Schekman, Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, helps unpack these questions. He explains the molecular machinery behind vesicle trafficking, how these pathways were discovered through foundational cell biology, and how this research enabled breakthroughs like insulin production in yeast. Prof. Schekman also explores what extracellular vesicles carry and why interpreting their biological roles remains experimentally challenging.
The conversation then shifts to Parkinson’s disease; its complexity, why current treatments mostly manage symptoms, and why early cellular changes may begin long before diagnosis. Prof. Schekman highlights research on genetic risk, environmental factors, and emerging evidence that vigorous exercise may influence disease progression.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- How vesicle trafficking and extracellular vesicles shape cellular communication
- The cell‑biology foundations behind technologies like insulin production
- Why Parkinson’s disease is so difficult to treat and detect early
- Genetics, early warning signs, and the role of exercise in Parkinson’s research
Timestamps
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:08 Why Vesicle Trafficking Matters & Path to Nobel
00:10:12 Discovering Cellular Transport Mechanisms
00:16:52 How Vesicles Shape Cell Growth
00:22:18 From Cell Biology to Insulin Production
00:29:55 Technology, Science, and Deep Thinking
00:37:28 Why Extracellular Vesicles Are Important
00:43:32 Why Parkinson’s Disease Is So Devastating
00:48:23 Funding Parkinson’s Research at Scale
00:55:25 Does Parkinson’s Start Outside the Brain?
01:00:19 Can Exercise Slow Parkinson’s Progression?
01:06:40 Advice for Young Scientists
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#Neuroscience, #CellBiology #ParkinsonsDisease #ExtracellularVesicles #VesicleTrafficking #Neurodegeneration #MedicalResearch #SciencePodcast #NobelPrizeLaureate
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
Neuroinflammation & Alzheimer’s Disease | Prof. Michael Heneka on Immune Signaling and Neurodegeneration
Why is Alzheimer’s disease so difficult to treat and how is the brain’s immune system involved?Professor Michael Heneka, Director of the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, joins us to discuss key topics …
Show notes
Why is Alzheimer’s disease so difficult to treat and how is the brain’s immune system involved?
Professor Michael Heneka, Director of the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, joins us to discuss key topics in #neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s disease.
We explore how inflammation shapes the progression of #neurodegeneration, why detecting Alzheimer’s early remains a challenge, and the surprising biological world of tunneling nanotubes-tiny bridges that let cells exchange materials and signals.
Professor Heneka also breaks down emerging strategies in #prevention, #personalizedmedicine, #genetherapy, and anti-inflammatory approaches that could redefine the future of Alzheimer’s #treatment.In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why Alzheimer’s is so complex and why traditional #treatments struggle to stop its progression
• How #neuroinflammation drives the disease, reshaping the #brain long before symptoms appear
• How early #biomarkers can reveal Alzheimer’s up to 10 years in advance, improving detection and intervention
• The future of personalized Alzheimer’s #treatment, from #genetics to targeted #immunotherapies
• How tunneling nanotubes and #immune pathways may transform our understanding of #neurodegenerationSubscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#AlzheimersResearch #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #SystemsBiomedicine #NeurosciencePodcast
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels Akhmetali
Laura van Agen
The Neuroscience of Revenge & Forgiveness | James Kimmel Jr. on Addiction, Justice, and Healing
What happens in our brain when we crave revenge - and how can forgiveness set us free?In this powerful conversation, we speak with James Kimmel Jr., a former lawyer, and currently an assistant clinical …
Show notes
What happens in our brain when we crave revenge - and how can forgiveness set us free?
In this powerful conversation, we speak with James Kimmel Jr., a former lawyer, and currently an assistant clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine, and author of The Science of Revenge, about the psychology and neuroscience behind revenge, addiction, and forgiveness.
Drawing from his own story of childhood bullying and near-violence, Kimmel explains how these experiences led him from a 20-year legal career into neuroscience research and the creation of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why revenge feels so satisfying - and why it’s addictive
- What happens in your brain when you crave revenge?
- Why does your self-control system shut down when anger takes over?
- The surprising difference between men and women when it comes to - empathy during acts of retaliation.
- How to turn revenge into healing through the “Courtroom of the Mind,” an evidence-based mental exercise that helps release anger safely.
- The transformative power of forgiveness and empathy
Timestamps
00:00:00 In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond
00:00:29 Introduction and opening thoughts on revenge
00:01:30 Bullying, Anger, and the Moment That Changed Everything
00:11:00 From Lawyer to Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies
00:17:20 Revenge in the courtroom & Discovering the neuroscience of revenge
00:23:40 Studying the neuroscience of revenge and addiction
00:28:40 How the brain processes revenge and addiction
00:30:00 Dopamine, craving, and the “go” vs. “stop” systems
00:33:20 Developmental neuroscience and revenge in youth
00:38:00 When does revenge become addictive?
00:40:10 Healthy vs. harmful punishment and the role of dopamine
00:44:00 Pain, pleasure, and the biology of retaliation
00:50:00 Male vs. female revenge seeking
00:56:00 The myth of “good vs. evil” and real-world violence
00:59:00 How society fails to prevent revenge-driven violence
01:04:40 The “Courtroom of the Mind”: healing through inner justice
01:13:30 How forgiveness changes the brain
01:18:20 Treating revenge like an addiction
01:22:00 Education, prevention, and hope for future generations
01:25:00 Closing reflections on forgiveness and self-healing
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#NeuroscienceOfRevenge #TheScienceOfRevenge #AddictionAndTheBrain #Forgiveness #EmotionalHealing #PsychologyPodcast #Mindfulness #NeurosciencePodcast
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van AgenThe Biggest Problem in Science: For-Profit Corporations Controlling Knowledge | Prof. Niko Kukushkin
Prof. Kukushkin emphasises that the hardest part for scientists is figuring out what motivates them. He explains that the current system rewards high-profile publications controlled by a few for-profit …
Show notes
Prof. Kukushkin emphasises that the hardest part for scientists is figuring out what motivates them. He explains that the current system rewards high-profile publications controlled by a few for-profit corporations, steering research toward profit.
Top-down structural change- from universities, governments, and leaders-is needed to restore creativity, integrity, and meaningful progress.
What’s your biggest challenge in academia? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💬
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and honest conversations about academic life.
#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers #PhDLife
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
How Noise Impacts our Brain, Health and Nature | Chris Berdik
Noise is more than just an irritation; it’s a global health and environmental issue. In this episode, we welcome Chris Berdik, science journalist and author of Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We …
Show notes
Noise is more than just an irritation; it’s a global health and environmental issue. In this episode, we welcome Chris Berdik, science journalist and author of Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back. We explore how noise affects the body and brain, from sleep disruption and stress responses to hearing loss, dementia risk, and learning difficulties.
We also talk about why designing better soundscapes (in schools, workplaces, hospitals, and cities) is essential for public health, productivity, and even wildlife survival.
This episode offers deep insights for anyone interested in health, neuroscience or urban planning, revealing why it’s time to take noise seriously and how we can build healthier soundscapes for the future.
More from Chris Berdik: https://www.chrisberdik.com/clamor
#NoisePollution #HealthAndWellness #Neuroscience #UrbanDesign #Soundscapes #HearingHealth #EnvironmentalHealth #BrainScience #PublicHealth
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
Timestamps
00:00:00 In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond
00:00:29 Introduction
00:01:00 Chris Berdik’s journey into science journalism and noise research
00:07:30 What is noise?
00:10:45 Health Effects of Noise
00:14:00 Hearing and Dementia
00:15:30 Are we adapting to noise?
0017:00 Noise sensitivity: why even “deep sleepers” are affected
00:19:01 Noise and learning: classrooms and distraction
00:20:00 The auditory midbrain and early literacy
00:22:29 Open offices: productivity, distraction distance, and noise design
00:27:20 White noise, focus, and the science of masking sound
00:29:55 Hearing damage: how loud sound injures hair cells and neurons
00:38:25 Hearing protection as the “new sunscreen”
00:40:11 Noise and nature: wildlife, whales, and shrinking sensory worlds
00:50:00 Green Spaces and Soundscapes
00:53:50 Limerick, Ireland: redefining “quiet spaces” in cities
01:01:50 Noise inequality and environmental justice
01:05:29 Sound solutions: from restaurants to hospitals
01:15:42 Key message from Clamor
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels Akhmetali
Laura van AgenWhat If Every Cell Has a Memory? From Cells to Consciousness | Prof. Nikolay Kukushkin
Memory is more than just a function of neurons; non-neuronal cells can “remember” too. In this episode, we welcome Prof. Nikolay Kukushkin, Clinical Associate Professor of Life Science and research fellow at …
Show notes
Memory is more than just a function of neurons; non-neuronal cells can “remember” too. In this episode, we welcome Prof. Nikolay Kukushkin, Clinical Associate Professor of Life Science and research fellow at the Center for Neural Science, NYU, to discuss the fascinating science of memory. We explore how neurons and other cells store information and abstract ideas, why scientists study sea slugs to uncover the mechanisms of learning and memory, and the potential implications of cellular memory for mental health, learning, and cancer treatment. We also discuss the new upcoming book by Prof. Kukushkin called “One Hand Clapping - Unraveling the Mystery of the Human Mind”.
This episode provides in-depth insights for anyone curious about neuroscience, memory, and consciousness, revealing the remarkable ways our cells contribute to how information is stored, processed, and retained.
Timestamps:
00:00:00 In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond
00:00:29 Introduction
00:01:58 Prof. Kukushkin’s Journey: From Biochemistry to Neuroscience
00:04:30 What Is Cellular Memory?
00:07:32 How do Neuroscientists Study Memory?
00:13:29 Massed vs. Spaced Effect in Learning and Memory
00:17:15 Where Is Memory Stored?
00:20:09 Neuronal Memory vs. Non-Neuronal Memory
00:24:32 How Neurons Store Abstract Information and Ideas
00:30:39 Can Animals Experience Memory Like Humans?
00:32:41 Sea Slugs, Consciousness, and Evolutionary Perspectives
00:38:53 Can Cancer Cells Remember Chemotherapy Treatment?
00:42:36 Cellular Memory and Mental Health Research
00:48:09 Writing One Hand Clapping: Science and Storytelling
00:55:34 Motivation Behind Writing a Book
01:02:23 Theories of Consciousness
01:09:21 Do We Have the Technology to Study Consciousness?
01:12:49 Psychedelics, Brain Research, and Conscious Experience
01:15:57 Final Insights on Memory and the Human Mind
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗 Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#neuroscience #Memory #CellularMemory #BrainScience #Learning #HumanCognition #Neurons #SeaSlugs #MentalHealth #SciencePodcast #OneHandClapping
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286.
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Laura van Agen
Music contributors: Steffen Pöschel (Ilanoor)Funding Models, Career Pressure, and the Future of Science | Challenges in Academia with Raymundo Báez-Mendoza, PhD #7
In our Problems in Academia series, we talk with scientists about the biggest challenges in research today and how the system could better support scientists at every level.In this episode, Raymundo …
Show notes
In our Problems in Academia series, we talk with scientists about the biggest challenges in research today and how the system could better support scientists at every level.
In this episode, Raymundo Báez-Mendoza, PhD, group leader at the German Primate Centre, shares honest insights into the economics of science-from how funding models shape lab decisions to the growing imbalance between large and small research groups.
Visit our Problems in Academia series to hear how leading scientists are rethinking research culture and building a better future for science.
🔗 Link to the Playlist of Problems in Academia: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLtjKq7qE0GdKtOrU9a3U0mPzPgW67waB
#ResearchReform #AcademicCareers #ScienceFunding #BrainDrain #NeurosciencePodcast
#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers #PhDLife
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels Akhmetali
Laura van AgenNeuroscience of Social Interactions: Friendship & Theory of Mind | Raymundo Báez-Mendoza, Ph.D.
In Episode 28 of Neuroscience and Beyond, we explore the neural basis of social behavior with Raymundo Báez-Mendoza Ph.D., #neuroscientist and group leader at the German Primate Centre. From understanding trust …
Show notes
In Episode 28 of Neuroscience and Beyond, we explore the neural basis of social behavior with Raymundo Báez-Mendoza Ph.D., #neuroscientist and group leader at the German Primate Centre. From understanding trust and cooperation to decoding fear and social distance, Báez-Mendoza’s work reveals how the #brain makes sense of our most fundamental social experiences.
Bridging research in humans and non-human primates, his lab uses game theory, structured behavioral tasks, and neural recordings to investigate the #cognitive and emotional processes that shape how we interact with others.
In this episode, we cover:
- How scientists model real-life social decisions in the lab
- The role of the amygdala in both fear and friendship
- How memory, reputation, and authority influence behavior
- What are Social Agent Identity Cells, and why do they matter?
- Insights from neural recordings during brain surgery
- and more!
🎧 Curious how the brain navigates trust, memory, and connection? Watch the full episode on YouTube to explore how neuroscience is helping us understand social interaction at its most fundamental level.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and in-depth discussions on cutting-edge science!
🔗Find us on X, Instagram, BlueSky, Spotify and other platforms https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
🔗Link to the video: https://youtu.be/AFb4pQJC9zo
#SocialNeuroscience #GameTheory #Amygdala #PrimateResearch #Neuroeconomics #CognitiveNeuroscience #TheoryOfMind #NeurosciencePodcast #BehavouralNeuroscience
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Timestamps
00:00:00 – Introduction & Báez-Mendoza’s Research
00:04:32 – From Mexico to Harvard: Comparing Research Cultures
00:09:40 – Social Interactions & Game Theory in Humans and Monkeys
00:15:56 – Training Monkeys for Social Decision-Making Tasks
00:22:25 – Recording Brain Activity in Monkeys
00:24:57 – Brain Regions Involved in Social Interaction
00:30:14 – Fear and Friendship: Amygdala’s Dual Role
00:33:34 – Memory and Social Decision-Making
00:38:10 – Theory of Mind in Monkeys
00:44:32 – What Are Social Agent Identity Cells?
00:49:10 – Human Brain Recordings During Surgery
00:54:11 – Role of Reputation and Authority in Decision-Making
01:00:12 – Sex Differences in Social Behavior & Research ConstraintsNeuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels Akhmetali
Laura van Agen
Rethinking the Research Culture | Challenges in Academia with Dr. Haage #6
Dr. Verena Haage joins us for a deep and honest conversation about the systemic problems in academia, beyond just publishing or funding.We unpack the urgent need to rethink research culture, covering issues …
Show notes
Dr. Verena Haage joins us for a deep and honest conversation about the systemic problems in academia, beyond just publishing or funding.
We unpack the urgent need to rethink research culture, covering issues like:
-Burnout, mental health, and unrealistic career expectations
-The shortage of stable positions like staff scientists
-Why retreats often miss opportunities for genuine connection
Dr. Haage shares actionable ideas, such as creating peer spaces and a trust-based lab culture to rethink what mentorship and leadership should look like in modern science.
What's your biggest frustration with research culture? Share your thoughts in the comments!💬
🔗 Watch the full conversation on YouTube & follow us here: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#AcademicCulture #MentalHealthInScience #OpenScience #LeadershipInAcademia #PostdocCrisis #Reproducibility #ResearchReform #NeurosciencePodcast
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels AkhmetaliThe Brain’s Hidden Guardians: Microglia in Health and Disease | Dr. Verena Haage
Did you know your brain has its own immune system? At its core are microglia - specialized cells that defend, maintain, and shape the brain throughout life. In Episode 27 of Neuroscience and Beyond, Dr. Verena …
Show notes
Did you know your brain has its own immune system? At its core are microglia - specialized cells that defend, maintain, and shape the brain throughout life. In Episode 27 of Neuroscience and Beyond, Dr. Verena Haage, guest scientist at Charité Berlin and co-founder of SciLead, joins us to learn how these once-overlooked cells are now revolutionizing our understanding of brain development, aging, and disease.
This episode unpacks how advanced tools like single-cell RNA sequencing, #transcriptomics , and #proteomics are revolutionizing microglia #research.
We discuss the critical role of microglia in #neurodegeneration, the challenges and breakthroughs in studying the human brain, and the growing relevance of the exposome in brain health.
You will also learn about the inspiring work behind SciLead, an initiative Dr. Haage co-founded to foster better leadership and research culture in science.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗To find us on BlueSky, X and Instagram:https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
Timestamps
00:00:00 In This Episode
00:00:25 Introduction
00:01:40 Dr. Haage’s Research on Microglia
00:05:10 How Were Microglia Discovered?
00:06:35 Studying Microglia in Mice
00:07:50 Sex Differences in Microglia
00:09:45 What Are Transcriptomics and Proteomics?
00:10:35 How Is Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Used?
00:17:40 What Are Microglial States?
00:20:10 Mouse vs. Human Microglia
00:21:50 How Are Human Microglia Studied?
00:31:30 Do iPSC-Derived Cells Reflect Adult Microglia?
00:33:30 Transcriptomics Costs and Lab Procedures
00:37:30 Data Challenges in Transcriptomics Research
00:40:50 Microglia’s Role in Neurodegeneration
00:47:00 Can We Image Microglia in Humans?
00:50:20 How the Exposome Affects Brain Health
00:51:50 What’s Happening to US Research Funding?
00:59:00 What Is SciLead?
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels Akhmetali
Laura van Agen
Balancing Research, Clinical Work, and Personal Life | Challenges in Academia with Prof. Woud #5
In the latest episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, Prof. Marcella Woud (Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology at the University of Göttingen) highlighted the real …
Show notes
In the latest episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, Prof. Marcella Woud (Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology at the University of Göttingen) highlighted the real struggles in academia, from balancing clinical training with PhD research to the insecurity of short-term contracts and the lack of stable research roles.
What’s your biggest challenge in academia? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💬
Subscribe to our channel @NeuroscienceBeyond for exclusive content and honest conversations about academic life.
🔗 Link to the video: https://youtu.be/6Arred_zB3E
🔗 Link to the full episode: https://youtu.be/g323URE0zt0
#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers #PhDLifeSupported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels Akhmetali
Cognitive Bias, Mental Health, PTSD & Anxiety | Prof. Marcella Woud
Why do some people recover from trauma, while others spiral into anxiety or depression? In Episode 26 of Neuroscience Beyond, we explore the psychological mechanics behind trauma and healing. Join us for an …
Show notes
Why do some people recover from trauma, while others spiral into anxiety or depression?
In Episode 26 of Neuroscience Beyond, we explore the psychological mechanics behind trauma and healing. Join us for an intriguing conversation with Prof. Marcella Woud, Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology at the University of Göttingen (@uniGoettingen). We discussed the fascinating link between how we interpret the world and how mental health conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression take shape.
In this episode, you’ll discover topics such as:
- How trauma and negative thinking loops lead to PTSD
- Why traumatic memories feel so vivid and intrusive
- Why some people develop PTSD after trauma, and others don’t
- What information processing biases are, and how they relate to anxiety and depression
- Effective PTSD therapies such as exposure-based treatment and EMDR
👉 Plus, many more insights on memory fragmentation, cognitive models, mental health awareness, and how external factors shape cognition.
Timestamps
00:00:00 In This Episode
00:00:25 Introduction
00:01:45 Prof. Woud’s Research Focus, Background Information
00:03:35 What Are Information Processing Biases?
00:05:35 Can Brain Imaging/Activity Explain Long-Term Trauma?
00:07:05 Bridging Cognition and Biology
00:09:23 Defining Mental Health
00:13:15 Why Do Some People Develop PTSD While Others Don’t?
00:15:15 Overthinking and PTSD relationship
00:17:35 What Is PTSD?
00:20:40 Are There Severity Levels in PTSD?
00:23:15 Brain Imaging in PTSD Diagnosis
00:24:15 Traumatic Memories vs Normal Memories
00:28:15 How is PTSD Studied Scientifically?
00:31:15 Why Does Public Speaking Cause Anxiety?
00:35:45 What Triggers PTS?
00:37:05 PTSD, Sleep Problems, Stress and Childhood Trauma
00:39:15 What Are the Treatments for PTSD?
00:42:55 Challenges in Studying Mental Health in the Lab
00:45:00 Do Cultural Differences Affect Mental Health Research?
00:47:05 Why Are Depression Rates Increasing?
00:49:15 Clinical Psychology
00:52:05 Understanding Mental Health
00:54:25 Early Prevention and Access Matter In Mental Health
00:56:15 What Is Consciousness?
01:00:05 Interpretation Biases in Alcohol Use
01:05:29 Psychodelics In Research and Clinical Use
01:08:22 Final Thoughts & Closing
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.
🔗 Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond
#MentalHealthAwareness #PTSD #Trauma #Psychology #CognitiveScience #Stress #InformationProcessing
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Mels AkhmetaliAcademic Pressure, Too Many PhDs, Too Few Jobs? | Challenges in Academia with Prof. Kwok #5
In our latest episode on the challenges in academia, we welcome Prof. Kwok as she dissects some of the most critical issues facing researchers today, including:Academic pressure and the instability of research …
Show notes
In our latest episode on the challenges in academia, we welcome Prof. Kwok as she dissects some of the most critical issues facing researchers today, including:
- Academic pressure and the instability of research careers.
- The “publish or perish” model and profit-driven journals.
- The oversupply of PhDs versus the limited academic positions.
- The reproducibility crisis in scientific research.
- Why leaving academia can be a valid—and valuable—career path.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and in-depth discussions on cutting-edge science.
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286
#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Beatriz Apgaua
Mels Akhmetali
The Brain’s Dark Matter: Exploring the Extracellular Matrix | Prof. Jessica Kwok
In our 25th episode, we're highlighting a fascinating and often overlooked area of neuroscience: the extracellular matrix of the brain. We are delighted to host Dr. Jessica Kwok, Associate Professor of …
Show notes
In our 25th episode, we're highlighting a fascinating and often overlooked area of neuroscience: the extracellular matrix of the brain. We are delighted to host Dr. Jessica Kwok, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Leeds, whose research is reshaping our understanding of memory, brain plasticity, and post-injury recovery. In this episode, you will learn:
-What perineuronal nets (PNNs) are and their influence on brain function.
-The surprising role of the ECM in spinal cord injury recovery.
-How the ECM shapes brain development and aging.
-The reasons why some neurons possess PNNs while others do not.
-The therapeutic potential of targeting PNNs, and many more interesting topics!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content.🎙️Link to our social media accounts:
https:/linktr.eeneurosciencebeyond
#Neuroscience #ExtracellularMatrix #SpinalCordInjury #ECM #PNN
This podcast is supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, the Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging" in Göttingen, as well as, SFB1286.
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Beatriz Apgaua
Mels Akhmetali
Rethinking Academia: What’s Broken and How We Can Fix It | #4 with Dr. Mani
Professor Mani shares her perspective, acknowledging both the privileges of scientific research and the real challenges we face. We discuss the slow peer-review process, the high cost of open access, and the …
Show notes
Professor Mani shares her perspective, acknowledging both the privileges of scientific research and the real challenges we face. We discuss the slow peer-review process, the high cost of open access, and the systemic resistance to change.
While specific challenges vary across research fields, we can collectively improve the system through awareness and sustained action. What's your biggest challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and in-depth discussions on cutting-edge science.
https://www.youtube.com/@neurosciencebeyond
Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, SFB1286, as well as MBExC.
#academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers
Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko
Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı
Beatriz Apgaua
Mels Akhmetali
How Do Babies Learn Language? | Motivation, Environment & Multilingualism | Prof. Nivedita Mani
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 …
Show notes
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 world.
- The crucial role of the environment: Why "language is a social beast" and how media can surprisingly help!
- Different speech styles: Infant-, child-, and adult-directed speech explained.
- Multilingual upbringing: Practical tips.
- Why adults struggle with accents: The science behind learning languages later in life.
- Gender differences in early language development.
And much more!
Professor Mani shares invaluable insights and practical advice for parents and anyone fascinated by the science of language. Don't miss this interesting and exciting conversation!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel Neuroscience and Beyond for in-depth scientific discussions!
This podcast is supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, MBExC, the European Neuroscience Institute, as well as, SFB1286.
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