Knight Initiative News

New techniques for growing human brain tissue in the lab are fueling a revolution in scientists' ability to observe human brain development, trace the origins of psychiatric disorders and develop new treatments. Featuring Stanford psychiatry professor Sergiu Pasca.

Biologist Lauren O'Connell shares the neuroscience behind familial bonds across the animal kingdom—and what this could teach us about our own experience as partners and parents.

Touch is one of the most important human senses. It lets us connect with the world—and each other. Roboticists like Allison Okamura—today’s podcast guest—think we should be building technology that helps us reconnect through the power of touch.

Will we soon be able to rejuvenate our brains? We talked with Tony Wyss-Coray, the director of the Knight Initiative for Brain Resilience at Wu Tsai Neuro, to learn more.

Are bionic eyes in our future? In today's podcast, we talk to Professor EJ Chichilnisky of the Stanford Artificial Retina Project about how electronic implants could reverse blindness in people with retinal disease.

Institute affiliate Erin Gibson explains why we should pay attention to our circadian rhythms.

Institute affiliate Keith Humphreys explains why we think of addiction as a disease.

Wu Tsai Neuro faculty scholar Julia Kaltschmidt answers: "Is your gut a second brain?"

Postdocs Ernie Hwaun and Matt McCoy answer: "What can octopus and squid brains teach us about intelligence?"

Graduate student Gabriella Muwanga answers: "What are migraines, and why are they so hard to treat?"

Rob Malenka answers: "Why are psychiatrists taking a fresh look at MDMA?"

On this show, we criss-cross scientific disciplines to bring you to the frontiers of brain science, one simple question at a time.