Decoding memory: plasticity, SUSHI and super-resolution microscopy with Prof. Valentin Nägerl

In this episode we speak with Prof. Valentin Nägerl, the head of the Synaptic plasticity and super-resolution microscopy group at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience and Professor of Neuroscience and Bioimaging at the University of Bordeaux. Together, we delve into the intricacies of memory, demystifying terms like plasticity and synapses. Prof. Nägerl shares his knowledge about what is in between the neurons - the extracellular space. We continue with our recent theme of the super-resolution microscopy and explore another technique called SUSHI. The conversation extends to pressing topics like the reproducibility crisis and issues with the publishing system. Finally, we discuss the future of neuroscience.

Our channel is supported by International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Neurosciences as well as Cluster of Excellence Multiscale Bioimaging (MBExC) in Göttingen, Germany. The views presented on this channel are not representative of IMPRS or MBExC.

Timestamps:
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:30 Early career and motivation for doing science
00:05:43 What makes a research institution world-class?
00:07:32 Establishing own research group in Bordeaux
00:09:08 Research focus: superresolution microscopy, synapses and plasticity
00:13:39 Animal experiments in neuroscience
00:19:43 Diversity of neurons and synapses
00:20:42 Hippocampus, plasticity and memory
00:30:23 STED microscopy and phototoxicity problem in live imaging
00:40:35 Recording neural data from the awake animals
00:42:43 SUSHI - super-resolution shadow imaging
00:46:26 Studying extracellular space
00:56:26 Problems in academia: reproducibility crisis
01:01:30 Problems in academia: publishing system
01:03:13 Work-life balance
01:08:06 Future of neuroscience

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Neuroscience and Beyond team:
Svilen Georgiev
Kristina Jevdokimenko