The Beautiful Mind: From Mini-Brains to Mighty Breakthroughs

How the human brain develops from a simple sheet of identical cells to a network of billions of specialised neurons is one of the biggest open questions in biology. In the past, scientists have tackled this problem with experimental models that are unable to capture the full complexity of the human brain, relying on distant animal models or isolated layers of cells in a dish. Recently, a new wave of models has emerged, so-called ‘cerebral organoids’, which mirror the earliest stages of neurodevelopment as 3D structures that can be easily grown from stem cells. In my talk I will highlight how organoid research has begun to answer previously impossible questions about how the human brain develops, and talk about my own research exploring how early brain cells use signals from their physical environment to decide their ultimate fate in the mature brain

Our brain is constantly on guard. But in dementia, that protective response can spiral out of control — immune cells that should defend the brain end up driving its destruction. Researchers investigate how inflammation fuels diseases related to Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia and other conditions, and whether targeting it could slow - or even stop - the damage. Join Dr Malpetti for a journey from brain scans and blood tests to potential therapies, and explore whether calming the brain’s fire might be our best shot at fighting dementia.

Can brain stem cells treat progressive Multiple Sclerosis? Progressive MS remains one of medicine's most challenging conditions, with limited effective treatments. This presentation examines an exciting new area: using neural stem cells to repair the damaged brain and spinal cord. From laboratory discoveries to first-in-human clinical trials, Professor Pluchino will guide us through the science of stem cell therapies — how they work, what they have achieved in animal models, and what early human studies are revealing. A story of hope, perseverance, and the future of regenerative neurology.