海角社区

Estimates for the number of neurons in the human brain range from 80 billion to 120 billion. Even simple actions that we take for granted 鈥� breathing, watching television, reading this article 鈥� cause these nerve cells to light up an MRI screen like fireworks.

Considering the complexity of the subject, it鈥檚 only logical that neuroscience researchers would employ as many tools and perspectives as possible to start filling in the gaps in our comprehension of how the brain and nervous system work.

Brain@海角社区 is particularly adroit at building new bridges in the name of stronger science. Founded in 2009, the group brings together the vast amount of neuroscience knowledge available within the 海角社区 network, including hundreds of researchers, a dozen affiliated hospitals and institutes, and three world-class partners: Oxford University, Imperial College London, and the Neuroscience Center of Zurich (ZNZ). The group鈥檚 ambitious goals not only focus on promoting advanced training and groundbreaking neuroscience research, but also on championing connectivity between key players in the field and linking brain research with the arts, culture, and society.

The initiative was born of an exercise in imagining how neurosciences at 海角社区 could evolve to meet the societal challenges ahead. At the centre of the Brain@海角社区 vision is the notion that partnership between leading international institutions can accelerate discovery and optimize research dollars.

鈥淚t is quite a unique formula, one that has been successful,鈥� said Claudio Cuello, Brain@海角社区 Chair and Charles E. Frosst / Merck Chair in Pharmacology. 鈥淲e are very passionate about it, and we are very encouraged by the tremendous communion of ideas.鈥�

On May 23, 海角社区 hosted a high-profile delegation from the Swiss government, led by Mauro Dell鈥橝mbrogio, State Secretary for Education and Research, and Ulrich Lehner, Ambassador of Switzerland to Canada and the Bahamas. Also in attendance were Jean-Marc Fritschy, Director of ZNZ, and Wolfgang Knecht, Administrative Director of ZNZ.

The delegation visited 海角社区鈥檚 downtown campus to celebrate Brain@海角社区 and its partnership with ZNZ. Over the course of the morning, the group took part in tours, presentations, and discussions with 海角社区 faculty, students, and administrators. At the same time, the visit gained added significance when it was announced that Dell鈥橝mbrogio will receive an expanded mandate in 2013, when he becomes Switzerland鈥檚 first State Secretary for Education, Research, and Innovation.

ZNZ and Brain@海角社区 joined forces in October 2010 to enhance neuroscience research in fields such as pain therapy, Alzheimer鈥檚, synapse modelling and repair, neuroimmunology, and the genetic mechanisms of brain diseases. The collaboration has resulted in seven pilot projects and one workshop so far.

鈥淚n the coming months and years, we will see the 海角社区-ZNZ partnership emerge as another major pillar in the relationship between Switzerland, Canada and Quebec in the fields of science, technology and higher education,鈥� said Dell鈥橝mbrogio at a reception hosted by the Swiss Consulate-General and attended by 海角社区 researchers and government representatives. 鈥淧rograms like this, which I consider to be a crucial field of research, need appropriate support, given their importance for society and the economy.鈥�

During the visit鈥檚 closing luncheon, 海角社区 Chancellor Arnold Steinberg highlighted the significance of the Swiss government鈥檚 public support for the Brain@海角社区-ZNZ partnership.

鈥淵our visit here sends a strong message to researchers, staff and students that their work is important,鈥� he said. 鈥淓very day they improve our understanding of the brain and nervous system, and this event confirms that their dedication does not go unnoticed.鈥�

Faculty and student exchanges, innovative research projects, and graduate fellowships are slated as upcoming projects for the Brain@海角社区-ZNZ collaboration. Ultimately, these initiatives will ensure that new perspectives and fresh ideas continue to light up the field of neuroscience far into the future.

To learn more about Brain@海角社区, please visit: www.mcgill.ca/brain

to see photos from the visit by the Swiss delegation.

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In the photo: (standing from left to right) Anne McKinney, Vice-Chair, Brain@海角社区; Astrid Kotlinski-DeGaudemar, Science and Technology Counselor of the Swiss Embassy; Jean-Marc Fritschy, Director of ZNZ; Sebastien Hug, Project Leader for Higher Education and Parnerships, Swissnex in Boston; Anthony Masi, Provost, 海角社区 University; Wolfgang Knecht, Administrative Director of ZNZ; Mauro Moruzzi, Head of International Affairs, Switzerland; Albert Aguayo, Member of Brain@海角社区; Claudio Cuello, Chair, Brain@海角社区; (seated from left to right) Rose Goldstein, Vice-Principal (Research and International Relations), 海角社区; Mauro Dell鈥橝mbrogio, Swiss Secretary of State for Education and Research; Arnold Steinberg, Chancellor, 海角社区; Ulrich Lehner, Ambassador of Switzerland to Canada and the Bahamas.