Neuroscience and Beyond

Neuroscience and Beyond
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We are young researchers at the forefront of neuroscience in Göttingen, Germany, driven by a passion for discovery and communication. In our monthly conversations, we go beyond publications to discuss the real stories with leading experts: their revolutionary work, their personal paths, the struggles they've overcome, and the big questions driving the field forward.  Our mission is built on a simple, powerful idea: knowledge is the only resource that grows when shared. Through open dialogue, we aim to build a bridge between cutting-edge research and the curious minds eager to understand it.   Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences, the European Neuroscience Institute in Göttingen, the Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging" in Göttingen and SFB1286 Quantitative Synaptology in Göttingen. This podcast reflects our personal views and is separate from our affiliated institutions. 

  1. 12/29/2025

    How a Nobel Prize Discovery Changed Cell Biology | Vesicles, Insulin & Parkinson’s | Randy Schekman

    Send us a text How do cells move cargo with such precision? What controls vesicle trafficking, and why does this process shape everything from cellular communication to disease? And what can extracellular vesicles really reveal about health, aging, and neurodegeneration? In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond, Professor Randy Schekman, Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, helps unpack these questions. He explains the molecular machinery behind vesicle trafficking, how these pathways were discovered through foundational cell biology, and how this research enabled breakthroughs like insulin production in yeast. Prof. Schekman also explores what extracellular vesicles carry and why interpreting their biological roles remains experimentally challenging. The conversation then shifts to Parkinson’s disease; its complexity, why current treatments mostly manage symptoms, and why early cellular changes may begin long before diagnosis. Prof. Schekman highlights research on genetic risk, environmental factors, and emerging evidence that vigorous exercise may influence disease progression. In this episode, you’ll learn about: How vesicle trafficking and extracellular vesicles shape cellular communicationThe cell‑biology foundations behind technologies like insulin productionWhy Parkinson’s disease is so difficult to treat and detect earlyGenetics, early warning signs, and the role of exercise in Parkinson’s research Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:08 Why Vesicle Trafficking Matters & Path to Nobel 00:10:12 Discovering Cellular Transport Mechanisms 00:16:52 How Vesicles Shape Cell Growth 00:22:18 From Cell Biology to Insulin Production 00:29:55 Technology, Science, and Deep Thinking 00:37:28 Why Extracellular Vesicles Are Important 00:43:32 Why Parkinson’s Disease Is So Devastating 00:48:23 Funding Parkinson’s Research at Scale 00:55:25 Does Parkinson’s Start Outside the Brain? 01:00:19 Can Exercise Slow Parkinson’s Progression? 01:06:40 Advice for Young Scientists Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content. 🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond #Neuroscience, #CellBiology #ParkinsonsDisease #ExtracellularVesicles #VesicleTrafficking #Neurodegeneration #MedicalResearch #SciencePodcast #NobelPrizeLaureate Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286 Neuroscience and Beyond team: Svilen Georgiev Kristina Jevdokimenko Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı Laura van Agen

    1h 36m

  2. 11/24/2025

    Neuroinflammation & Alzheimer’s Disease | Prof. Michael Heneka on Immune Signaling and Neurodegeneration

    Send us a text Why is Alzheimer’s disease so difficult to treat and how is the brain’s immune system involved? Professor Michael Heneka, Director of the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, joins us to discuss key topics in #neuroinflammation and Alzheimer’s disease. We explore how inflammation shapes the progression of #neurodegeneration, why detecting Alzheimer’s early remains a challenge, and the surprising biological world of tunneling nanotubes-tiny bridges that let cells exchange materials and signals. Professor Heneka also breaks down emerging strategies in #prevention, #personalizedmedicine, #genetherapy, and anti-inflammatory approaches that could redefine the future of Alzheimer’s #treatment. In this episode, you’ll learn:  • Why Alzheimer’s is so complex and why traditional #treatments struggle to stop its progression  • How #neuroinflammation drives the disease, reshaping the #brain long before symptoms appear  • How early #biomarkers can reveal Alzheimer’s up to 10 years in advance, improving detection and intervention  • The future of personalized Alzheimer’s #treatment, from #genetics to targeted #immunotherapies  • How tunneling nanotubes and #immune pathways may transform our understanding of #neurodegeneration Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content. 🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond #AlzheimersResearch #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #SystemsBiomedicine #NeurosciencePodcast Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286 Neuroscience and Beyond team: Svilen Georgiev Kristina Jevdokimenko Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı Mels Akhmetali Laura van Agen

    42 min

  3. 10/27/2025

    The Neuroscience of Revenge & Forgiveness | James Kimmel Jr. on Addiction, Justice, and Healing

    Send us a text What happens in our brain when we crave revenge - and how can forgiveness set us free? In this powerful conversation, we speak with James Kimmel Jr., a former lawyer, and currently an assistant clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine, and author of The Science of Revenge, about the psychology and neuroscience behind revenge, addiction, and forgiveness. Drawing from his own story of childhood bullying and near-violence, Kimmel explains how these experiences led him from a 20-year legal career into neuroscience research and the creation of the Yale Collaborative for Motive Control. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why revenge feels so satisfying - and why it’s addictive - What happens in your brain when you crave revenge? - Why does your self-control system shut down when anger takes over? - The surprising difference between men and women when it comes to - empathy during acts of retaliation. - How to turn revenge into healing through the “Courtroom of the Mind,” an evidence-based mental exercise that helps release anger safely. - The transformative power of forgiveness and empathy Timestamps 00:00:00 In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond 00:00:29 Introduction and opening thoughts on revenge 00:01:30 Bullying, Anger, and the Moment That Changed Everything 00:11:00 From Lawyer to Yale Collaborative for Motive Control Studies  00:17:20 Revenge in the courtroom & Discovering the neuroscience of revenge 00:23:40 Studying the neuroscience of revenge and addiction 00:28:40 How the brain processes revenge and addiction 00:30:00 Dopamine, craving, and the “go” vs. “stop” systems 00:33:20 Developmental neuroscience and revenge in youth 00:38:00 When does revenge become addictive? 00:40:10 Healthy vs. harmful punishment and the role of dopamine 00:44:00 Pain, pleasure, and the biology of retaliation 00:50:00 Male vs. female revenge seeking 00:56:00 The myth of “good vs. evil” and real-world violence 00:59:00 How society fails to prevent revenge-driven violence 01:04:40 The “Courtroom of the Mind”: healing through inner justice 01:13:30 How forgiveness changes the brain 01:18:20 Treating revenge like an addiction 01:22:00 Education, prevention, and hope for future generations 01:25:00 Closing reflections on forgiveness and self-healing Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content. 🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond #NeuroscienceOfRevenge #TheScienceOfRevenge #AddictionAndTheBrain #Forgiveness #EmotionalHealing #PsychologyPodcast #Mindfulness #NeurosciencePodcast Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286 Neuroscience and Beyond team: Svilen Georgiev Kristina Jevdokimenko Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı Laura van Agen

    1h 32m

  4. 10/20/2025

    The Biggest Problem in Science: For-Profit Corporations Controlling Knowledge | Prof. Niko Kukushkin

    Send us a text Prof. Kukushkin emphasises that the hardest part for scientists is figuring out what motivates them. He explains that the current system rewards high-profile publications controlled by a few for-profit corporations, steering research toward profit.  Top-down structural change- from universities, governments, and leaders-is needed to restore creativity, integrity, and meaningful progress. What’s your biggest challenge in academia? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💬 Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and honest conversations about academic life. #academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers #PhDLife  Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286 Neuroscience and Beyond team: Svilen Georgiev Kristina Jevdokimenko Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı Laura van Agen

    19 min

  5. 09/22/2025

    How Noise Impacts our Brain, Health and Nature | Chris Berdik

    Send us a text Noise is more than just an irritation; it’s a global health and environmental issue. In this episode, we welcome Chris Berdik, science journalist and author of Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back. We explore how noise affects the body and brain, from sleep disruption and stress responses to hearing loss, dementia risk, and learning difficulties.  We also talk about why designing better soundscapes  (in schools, workplaces, hospitals, and cities)  is essential for public health, productivity, and even wildlife survival. This episode offers deep insights for anyone interested in health, neuroscience or urban planning, revealing why it’s time to take noise seriously and how we can build healthier soundscapes for the future. More from Chris Berdik: https://www.chrisberdik.com/clamor #NoisePollution #HealthAndWellness #Neuroscience #UrbanDesign #Soundscapes #HearingHealth #EnvironmentalHealth #BrainScience #PublicHealth Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content. 🔗Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond Timestamps 00:00:00 In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond 00:00:29 Introduction 00:01:00 Chris Berdik’s journey into science journalism and noise research 00:07:30 What is noise? 00:10:45 Health Effects of Noise 00:14:00 Hearing and Dementia 00:15:30 Are we adapting to noise? 0017:00  Noise sensitivity: why even “deep sleepers” are affected 00:19:01 Noise and learning: classrooms and distraction 00:20:00 The auditory midbrain and early literacy 00:22:29 Open offices: productivity, distraction distance, and noise design 00:27:20 White noise, focus, and the science of masking sound 00:29:55 Hearing damage: how loud sound injures hair cells and neurons 00:38:25 Hearing protection as the “new sunscreen” 00:40:11 Noise and nature: wildlife, whales, and shrinking sensory worlds 00:50:00 Green Spaces and Soundscapes 00:53:50 Limerick, Ireland: redefining “quiet spaces” in cities 01:01:50 Noise inequality and environmental justice 01:05:29 Sound solutions: from restaurants to hospitals 01:15:42 Key message from Clamor Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286 Neuroscience and Beyond team: Svilen Georgiev Kristina Jevdokimenko Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı Mels Akhmetali Laura van Agen

    1h 19m

  6. 08/25/2025

    What If Every Cell Has a Memory? From Cells to Consciousness | Prof. Nikolay Kukushkin

    Send us a text Memory is more than just a function of neurons; non-neuronal cells can “remember” too. In this episode, we welcome Prof. Nikolay Kukushkin, Clinical Associate Professor of Life Science and research fellow at the Center for Neural Science, NYU, to discuss the fascinating science of memory. We explore how neurons and other cells store information and abstract ideas, why scientists study sea slugs to uncover the mechanisms of learning and memory, and the potential implications of cellular memory for mental health, learning, and cancer treatment. We also discuss the new upcoming book by Prof. Kukushkin called “One Hand Clapping - Unraveling the Mystery of the Human Mind”. This episode provides in-depth insights for anyone curious about neuroscience, memory, and consciousness, revealing the remarkable ways our cells contribute to how information is stored, processed, and retained. Timestamps: 00:00:00 In this episode of Neuroscience and Beyond 00:00:29 Introduction 00:01:58 Prof. Kukushkin’s Journey: From Biochemistry to Neuroscience 00:04:30 What Is Cellular Memory? 00:07:32 How do Neuroscientists Study Memory? 00:13:29 Massed vs. Spaced Effect in Learning and Memory 00:17:15 Where Is Memory Stored? 00:20:09 Neuronal Memory vs. Non-Neuronal Memory 00:24:32 How Neurons Store Abstract Information and Ideas 00:30:39 Can Animals Experience Memory Like Humans? 00:32:41 Sea Slugs, Consciousness, and Evolutionary Perspectives 00:38:53 Can Cancer Cells Remember Chemotherapy Treatment? 00:42:36 Cellular Memory and Mental Health Research 00:48:09 Writing One Hand Clapping: Science and Storytelling 00:55:34 Motivation Behind Writing a Book 01:02:23 Theories of Consciousness 01:09:21 Do We Have the Technology to Study Consciousness? 01:12:49 Psychedelics, Brain Research, and Conscious Experience 01:15:57 Final Insights on Memory and the Human Mind Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us for exciting neuroscience content. 🔗 Link to our social media accounts: https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond #neuroscience  #Memory #CellularMemory #BrainScience #Learning #HumanCognition #Neurons  #SeaSlugs #MentalHealth #SciencePodcast #OneHandClapping  Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286. Neuroscience and Beyond team: Svilen Georgiev Kristina Jevdokimenko Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı Laura van Agen Music contributors: Steffen Pöschel (Ilanoor)

    1h 18m

  7. 08/18/2025

    Funding Models, Career Pressure, and the Future of Science | Challenges in Academia with Raymundo Báez-Mendoza, PhD #7

    Send us a text In our Problems in Academia series, we talk with scientists about the biggest challenges in research today and how the system could better support scientists at every level. In this episode, Raymundo Báez-Mendoza, PhD, group leader at the German Primate Centre, shares honest insights into the economics of science-from how funding models shape lab decisions to the growing imbalance between large and small research groups. Visit our Problems in Academia series to hear how leading scientists are rethinking research culture and building a better future for science. 🔗 Link to the Playlist of Problems in Academia: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLtjKq7qE0GdKtOrU9a3U0mPzPgW67waB #ResearchReform #AcademicCareers #ScienceFunding #BrainDrain #NeurosciencePodcast   #academic #challenges #academia #science #ResearchFunding #AcademicCareers #PhDLife  Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286 Neuroscience and Beyond team: Svilen Georgiev Kristina Jevdokimenko Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı Mels Akhmetali Laura van Agen

    16 min

  8. 07/28/2025

    Neuroscience of Social Interactions: Friendship & Theory of Mind | Raymundo Báez-Mendoza, Ph.D.

    Send us a text In Episode 28 of Neuroscience and Beyond, we explore the neural basis of social behavior with Raymundo Báez-Mendoza Ph.D., #neuroscientist and group leader at the German Primate Centre. From understanding trust and cooperation to decoding fear and social distance, Báez-Mendoza’s work reveals how the #brain makes sense of our most fundamental social experiences. Bridging research in humans and non-human primates, his lab uses game theory, structured behavioral tasks, and neural recordings to investigate the #cognitive and emotional processes that shape how we interact with others. In this episode, we cover: How scientists model real-life social decisions in the labThe role of the amygdala in both fear and friendshipHow memory, reputation, and authority influence behaviorWhat are Social Agent Identity Cells, and why do they matter?Insights from neural recordings during brain surgeryand more! 🎧 Curious how the brain navigates trust, memory, and connection? Watch the full episode on YouTube to explore how neuroscience is helping us understand social interaction at its most fundamental level. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive content and in-depth discussions on cutting-edge science! 🔗Find us on X, Instagram, BlueSky, Spotify and other platforms https://linktr.ee/neurosciencebeyond  🔗Link to the video: https://youtu.be/AFb4pQJC9zo #SocialNeuroscience #GameTheory #Amygdala #PrimateResearch #Neuroeconomics #CognitiveNeuroscience #TheoryOfMind #NeurosciencePodcast #BehavouralNeuroscience Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences in #Göttingen, the European Neuroscience Institute, Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging, as well as SFB1286 Timestamps 00:00:00 – Introduction & Báez-Mendoza’s Research 00:04:32 – From Mexico to Harvard: Comparing Research Cultures 00:09:40 – Social Interactions & Game Theory in Humans and Monkeys 00:15:56 – Training Monkeys for Social Decision-Making Tasks 00:22:25 – Recording Brain Activity in Monkeys 00:24:57 – Brain Regions Involved in Social Interaction 00:30:14 – Fear and Friendship: Amygdala’s Dual Role 00:33:34 – Memory and Social Decision-Making 00:38:10 – Theory of Mind in Monkeys 00:44:32 – What Are Social Agent Identity Cells? 00:49:10 – Human Brain Recordings During Surgery 00:54:11 – Role of Reputation and Authority in Decision-Making 01:00:12 – Sex Differences in Social Behavior & Research Constraints Neuroscience and Beyond team: Svilen Georgiev Kristina Jevdokimenko Ahsen Konaç Sayıcı Mels Akhmetali Laura van Agen

    1h 2m
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About

We are young researchers at the forefront of neuroscience in Göttingen, Germany, driven by a passion for discovery and communication. In our monthly conversations, we go beyond publications to discuss the real stories with leading experts: their revolutionary work, their personal paths, the struggles they've overcome, and the big questions driving the field forward.  Our mission is built on a simple, powerful idea: knowledge is the only resource that grows when shared. Through open dialogue, we aim to build a bridge between cutting-edge research and the curious minds eager to understand it.   Supported by the International Max Planck Research School for Neurosciences, the European Neuroscience Institute in Göttingen, the Cluster of Excellence "Multiscale Bioimaging" in Göttingen and SFB1286 Quantitative Synaptology in Göttingen. This podcast reflects our personal views and is separate from our affiliated institutions. 

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  • Creator
    Neuroscience and Beyond
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    42
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    © 2025 Neuroscience and Beyond
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