On March 10, Frankfurt's neuroscience institutions demonstrated how much brainpower the city has to offer with a fantastic event: in short, colorful presentations, young researchers took the audience into the world of brain research.

Sigrid Trägenap, doctoral student at FIAS, showed how the brain learns to see. Using lots of lively memes, she explained that although ferrets do not open their eyes until weeks after birth, they already show structured activity in the visual center of the brain. FIAS doctoral student Jonas Elpelt presented in his talk that these structures exist not only in vision, but also in hearing, feeling, and thinking. 

Many other impressive flash talks from neuroscience institutions in the Main metropolis offered fascinating insights into current research findings: for example, how “conduction errors” in the brain lead to stuttering, how magnets can cause hands to twitch and help stroke patients regenerate, and how transparent fish larvae assist in understanding the brain. Johannes Sassenroth (hr3) hosted the evening, while magician Thomas Fraps enchanted the audience. On screen, “Dr. Mondino and Prof. Cervello” explained the human brain in a humorous way, and at the Science Fair, the mostly young audience got up close and personal with the (also young) researchers and their science. The non-profit Hertie Foundation was responsible for organizing and financing this entertaining and informative evening. 

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