Neuroscience and Beyond
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
49 episodes
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 the University of Pe...
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 ways of thinking, working,...
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, from early diagnosis...
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 in high-impact journals, ri...
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 leader at the MRC Laboratory...
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. He discusses how evaluatio...
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 everything?In this episode ...
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 reveal about health, aging, and neurod...
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 in #neuroinflammation and ...
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 professor at the Yale School of Me...
The 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 corporations, steering research toward pro...
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 Can Take It Back. We explore how no...
What 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 the Center for Neural Science, NYU, ...
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 Báez-Mendoza, PhD, group leader at th...
Neuroscience 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 and cooperation to decoding fear ...
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 like:-Burnout, mental health,...
The 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 Haage, guest scientist at...
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 struggles in academia, from balancing cli...
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 intriguing conversation ...
Academic 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 careers.
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 Neuroscience at the University of Leeds, w...
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 systemic resistance to change.
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 of infant language acquisition....
Rethinking Academia: What’s Broken and How We Can Fix It | #3 with Dr. Shaib
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 un...
How to study protein shapes with light | One-step Nanoscale Expansion ONE Microscopy | Dr. Ali Shaib
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 structura...