Brain in a Dish - Advancing Understanding of Neurological Disorders

Explore the cutting-edge field of neural engineering in this 57-minute lecture by Professor Stan Skafidas, Director of the Centre for Neural Engineering at the University of Melbourne. Delve into recent advancements in "brain in a dish" technology and intracellular sensors, discovering how this transdisciplinary research area combines neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry, physics, computer science, and engineering to better understand complex neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders such as epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia. Learn how neuropathology, stem cells, genetics, pharmacology, and engineering collaborate to develop new sensors and disease models, providing deeper insights into the underlying causes of these disorders and creating innovative platforms for drug discovery and treatments. Gain knowledge about various topics including the glutamatergic system, mRNA expression in the brain, microglia, cell reprogramming, multi-electrode arrays, and advanced imaging techniques like the Helium Mine Microscope. Understand the importance of creating functional networks and printing electrodes in advancing our understanding of neurological disorders.