Konrad Akert Lecture 2025

The 4th Konrad Akert Lecture, held in honor of Konrad Akert, the founder of the Brain Research Institute, will feature Fred H. Gage from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

Gage and his team discovered that the human brain can generate new neurons throughout life. They also demonstrated that exercise and cognitive enrichment enhance the brain’s capacity to produce additional neurons.

Using innovative stem cell technologies, Gage’s team revealed that neurons derived from the skin cells of individuals with schizophrenia are dysfunctional during early developmental stages—offering valuable insights into early detection and potential treatment of the disorder. Furthermore, by sequencing the genomes of individual neurons, Gage and his collaborators uncovered unexpected variability in their genomic structures. This discovery may help explain differences between closely related individuals.

In June, Fred Gage will share insights from his research during the lecture.

When: 4th of June 2025, 17:00
Where: Campus Irchel, Y24-G-45

Link: https://www.salk.edu/scientist/rusty-gage/

Image: University of Zurich, Flyer Konrad Akert Lecture