CortexCast - A Neuroscience Podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Professor Masud Husain, neurologist and clinical neuroscientist at the University of Oxford, to explore how the brain’s failures can reveal its deepest workings. Our sense of self feels indivisible - until the brain begins to fracture it. In this episode, we are joined by Professor Masud Husain, neurologist and clinical neuroscientist at the University of Oxford, to explore how the brain’s failures can reveal its deepest workings. Drawing on his award-winning book Our Brains, Our Selves, he shares the stories of patients whose losses of words, memory and willpower challenge our understanding of identity. Along the way, we also engage in philosophical discussions about consciousness and AI. Our conversation is as much about humanity as it is about neuroscience - thoughtful, compassionate, and quietly profound.

How does the human eye transform waves of light into the vivid, detailed experience we call vision? In this episode of CortexCast, we follow photons on their journey from the moment they strike the retina to the point where visual signals begin to take shape. We explore the cascade of biochemical reactions triggered by molecules such as retinal and rhodopsin, the roles of rod and cone cells in night and colour vision, and the vulnerability of the central retina in age-related macular degeneration. We then turn to the networks of bipolar and horizontal cells, where visual information is funnelled, filtered, and sharpened into receptive fields — the brain’s earliest building blocks of images. Along the way, we uncover how a patch of neural tissue at the back of the eye becomes the gateway to our entire visual world.

In this episode, Neddy speaks with Dr. Johannes Kohl on the brain circuitry behind instinctive behaviours like parenting and shares insights for early-career researchers navigating the fast-moving world of neuroscience.

In this episode, Katy interviews Björn Vahsen to discuss his ongoing research on Motor neurone disease using iPSCs to co-culture microglia and motor neurons.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Julia Harris to discuss her ongoing research on sleep utilising the olfactory system.

In this episode with Professor Charlotte Stagg, we talk about non-invasive brain stimulation techniques used to understand how the brain adapts to new challenges in the recovery of motor function after stroke. https://www.ndcn.ox.ac.uk/team/charlotte-stagg

In this episode with Dr Sarnataro, we explore techniques used during his recent PhD to investigate the mitochondrial dynamics in neurons of sleeping fruitflies. Raffaele also offers advice on how to make the most of an Oxford PhD position. Raffaele Sarnataro — Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics (DPAG) (ox.ac.uk)

We met with Dr Andrew Peters (a new PI) to discuss his career in neuroscience so far studying movement in the brain. By combining multiple modern techniques, Andy interrogates global circuits during motor learning and behaviour.

The trailer for the second season of CortexCast.

We discuss all-optical interrogation techniques and the mysterious claustrum. Paula Kaanders and Lukas Krone talk to Dr Adam Packer from the Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics about his work on all-optical interrogation techniques: a technology that enables him to read and write neural activity. Besides this, we talk about his recent interest in the claustrum, a brain region we know little about. Adam also discusses his career path and his advice to graduate students.