Neuroscience and Beyond
We are a team of PhD students located in Göttingen, Germany, who share a passion about neuroscience and science communication. On a monthly basis we talk with experts in neuroscience and discuss their research, career path, struggles along the way and current problems in the field.
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. The content of the podcast represents our personal opinions and is separate from the institutions we are working at or collaborate with.
Neuroscience and Beyond
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 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.
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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