Brain and Development: Unlocking the Secrets of Learning and Adaptation

The Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is commonly found in aquaria at home. You can also find them in research institutions such as the Biozentrum or the Friedrich Miescher Institute. The reason: Zebrafish are vertebrates with brains, eyes, and hearts like us; we share a lot of our genome; and they are transparent and respond to pharmacological treatments. In this lecture, I will guide you through a tour of the development of zebrafish from a single egg; and how we researchers use it to learn about what genes are important for embryos to develop, what goes wrong during cancer, or regeneration of lost tissues.

During childhood and adolescence, the human brain develops, grows and learns at an incredible pace. While genes play a key role in determining when certain brain regions and behaviors emerge, the environment and experiences shape how effectively these networks are built. This talk provides an overview of key neurobiological changes from early childhood, to adolescence to young adulthood and explores factors that can support or hinder development. Topics to discuss may include: learning, brain development, and the risks and opportunities of early life experiences.

Did you know your brain has plasticity? This incredible ability lets your brain adapt, change, and even unlock new skills. Join me on a journey through the fruit fly brain, where I'll reveal how brains can rewrite their own rules—unlocking hidden cognitive potential in the process. Your brain’s plasticity is not just systematic... it’s fantastic!