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From a neuroscience PhD to building software for learning

Former SWC PhD student and now co-founder and CEO at Learney Matthew Phillips shares how he founded a startup, what motivated him and the most useful skills he gained during his PhD.

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Controlling the order and timing of action sequences

From washing the dishes to typing in the password to log on to our devices, learned action sequences are integral parts of our lives. In a recent SWC Virtual Seminar, Dr Xin Jin shared his work exploring the neural mechanisms of action sequence order and timing. In this Q&A, he shares some of the backstory, next steps, and more.

Central tendency bias linked to short-term history effects

Vezha Boboeva and fellow researchers in the Akrami lab at SWC and Clopath lab at Imperial College London, have been exploring a parametric working memory task in rodents to understand how brain circuits give rise to contraction bias towards the sensory mean.

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Nurturing a culture of care at SWC

Throughout changing work-from-home regulations, a culture of care at SWC has persisted. The 3Rs – replacement, reduction, refinement – are the guiding principles developed over 50 years ago that still drive us today to minimise use of animals and provide the best possible conditions for animals under care.

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Improving translation in neuroscience

Building bridges between industry and academia is key to improving translation in neuroscience. To help foster these vital collaborations, the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre was delighted to host a British Neuroscience Association symposium, which marked the first in-person event by the BNA since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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8 ways to improve translation between industry and academia in neuroscience

From speaking the same language, aligning incentives and improving transitions between academia and industry, SWC Seminar speakers share their thoughts on how to improve translation in neuroscience.

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What can cortical layer 5 teach us about unconsciousness and development?

SWC Emerging Neuroscientists Seminar Series winners, Drs Arjun Bharioke and Martin Munz, share their work on the use of anaesthetics as a powerful toolkit for studying cortical circuit function and formation, their key findings so far and the next pieces of the puzzle their research will explore.

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How does cellular complexity in GPe control movement?

In a recent SWC Virtual Seminar, Dr Savio Chan discussed how two cell types in the external globus pallidus of the basal ganglia can promote or inhibit certain movements in mice. In this Q&A, he explains how cellular complexity in this brain region leads to certain behaviours.

Social connection and resilience to stress

Recent SWC Seminar Speaker Dr Michael Platt shared his work studying the effects of the social brain on survivorship in a population of monkeys following a hurricane. In this Q&A, he expands on physiological synchrony, how the hurricane impacted his team’s research, and what we could glean from these scientific findings.

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Understanding the brain: 5 key implications for society

From benefitting human health and comprehending ourselves more deeply, to building the next generation of AI, SWC Seminar speakers share their thoughts on the key implications of understanding the brain for society as a whole.

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How can research culture be improved in neuroscience?

It is clear that solving some of the most fundamental scientific questions of our era will require shifts in research culture. But what are some of the key changes that have taken place so far and what more needs to be done? We asked SWC seminar speakers to share their thoughts – here’s what they had to say.

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What does it mean to understand the brain?

Neuroscientists often talk about understanding the brain, but what do they really mean by this and how will we know when it’s been achieved? Nine leading neuroscientists, who have given SWC seminars over the last year, shared their thoughts on what understanding the brain means to them.

17 February 2022