The Brain Enigma – How does the brain really work?

Despite intensive research for centuries, the normal functions and structure of the brain remain an enigma. Last June 25, an unprecedented partnership agreement (MoU) was signed in Montreal to broaden understanding of the human brain and take neuroscience research to new horizons. Three of the world´s leading neuroscience centres – McGill University, University of Oxford and the Neuroscience Centre Zurich (a joint competence centre of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology – ETH – and the University of Zurich) – forged this tripartite alliance. They want to develop new interdisciplinary interactions and create synergies between professionals with the ultimate purpose of supporting research in one of the greatest challenges of humankind: The Brain Enigma “Understanding how the brain works”.

More than 60 trinational professionals gathered at the Redpath Hall of McGill University – despite the hottest day of the year without AC – to celebrate this historic agreement and to learn more about successful joint projects like the presentation of Dr. Tim Behrens from the Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain who patiently explained to a broader audience of non subject matter experts his work on the human Connectome Project. With an eloquent example – the simple movement of a finger – and with words understandable to everyone, Tim showed how this project enables to navigate the living human brain in a way that was never before possible, compare essential pathways, and zoom into a region to explore the cells that comprise it, and the functions that depend on it.

By working together, these three world leaders in neuroscience will increase the scope of their individual research and look forward to new advances in a wide range of themes including ageing, cognition, pain, neuroimmunology, sleep and chronobiology. It was also agreed that providing the opportunity for regular graduate student and young professional exchanges will help create a new generation of exceptional multidisciplinary neuroscientists.

After the formal agreement ceremony, an official reception was held at the official residence of the British Consul General, jointly co-organised with the Swiss Consulate General in Montreal. At this occasion, tripartite neuroscientists and distinguished guests mingle around and explored the taste of Swiss cheeses while discussing the effect of Swiss red and white wines on the human brain – particularly how they loosen people’s tongues.

We had a wonderful time together and look forward to more international and interdisciplinary collaborations like this one.