You are invited to the Inaugural Lecture of Professor Vincent O’Connor, Professor of Neurochemistry:
‘Never mind the Neuro-B……ks: it’s the Syn-ap-ses’
The brain, in addition to being Woody Allen’s second favourite organ, plays an essential role in the human condition. It harbours an intricate interplay between molecules, cells and systems which in the context of the whole animal allow for the expression of behaviour.
Professor Vincent O’Connor has used his on-going education to develop an interest in how the molecules of the brain help control nerve function and behaviour. He is particularly interested in synapses, a small part or sub-cellular compartment of nerves that allows them to communicate with each other. For most of us, human behaviour is a reality and biochemistry is an esoteric concept. On the contrary, to a small band, brain biochemistry or neurochemistry is how we like to investigate brain function. He hopes to communicate how what might appear to be an esoteric interest in brain molecules can provide useful insights. This insight helps understand how the brain works and how it can go wrong. In addition, he will try to touch on how these efforts in basic science, motivated by interest, might be useful.
Click here for more information and to find out what else Professor Vincent O’Connor will give insights into.
Friday, 1 November 2013 – 5.30pm