Annual Public Lecture

From Scalpel to Science: using living human brain tissue to accelerate the quest to cure major neurological diseases

Speakers:

• Paul Brennan, Professor of Clinical and Experimental Neurosurgery, Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon
• Claire Durrant, Senior Lecturer & Emerging Leader at UK Dementia Research Institute
• Sam Booker, Senior Research Fellow, Simon's Institute for the Developing Brain

Paul, Claire and Sam established the Edinburgh Living Human Brain group in 2017, aspiring to develop improved models of human disease. They have come a long way from Claire and Sam first donning surgical scrubs and feeling a little out of their depths, watching Paul operate. They have established a world-leading centre for human brain research, bringing together over 30 researchers from 10 research groups from across the UK.

The centre’s success relies entirely on the generosity of amazing patients. They kindly donate any brain tissue removed during routine surgery to be used for research. In the past, this tissue would have been discarded.

Looking to the future, the Living Human Brain Group are redefining biomedical methods to improve future therapies, bridging the translational gap from clinic to lab and back again!

Book now: tickets for the 2025 Lecture 

Born small and vulnerable; shining a light on the lives of people born too soon or too small

Speakers:

• James Boardman, Professor of Neonatal Medicine
• Lauren Ingledow, co-founder Adult Preemie Advocacy Network

Drawing on both ongoing research and lived experience, James and Lauren discussed the kinds of problems that people who were born prematurely can develop -  including difficulties with learning and behaviour. Understanding the causes of these problems might help us develop new treatments to help children who are born too soon or too small get the best start in life as well ensuring that approaches to their ongoing healthcare are appropriate. 

Changing the conversation and transforming lives of people with Motor Neuron Disease

Speakers:

• Judy Newton, MND Nurse Consultant and Deputy Director, Clinic and Nurse Manager at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic.
• Suvanker Pal, Professor of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Clinical Trials and Honorary Consultant Neurologist.  

Together, Judy and Suvanker discuss the history and treatment of MND as well as the ever-evolving innovations to assist people in their daily lives and current research directions and achievements. 

An alternative Christmas Carol: Spirits of Neuroscience and Mental Health- Past, Present and Future

Speaker: 

• Heather Whalley, Professor of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Heather talks about the use and power of imaging to better understand human behaviour, human health and mental health.