Tackling brain health together from both sides of the globe: The Florey and BrainsCAN

Researchers from The Florey and Western University’s BrainsCAN in Canada have teamed up to conduct fundamental research on the brain and tackle brain health together.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between The Florey and BrainsCAN in March 2020, bringing neuroscientists from both institutions together to collaborate on solutions for maintaining a healthy brain.

Researchers at BrainsCAN and The Florey are allied in investigating high-impact research in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Autism Spectrum Disorder, concussions and stroke.

“Research underway at The Florey and Western’s BrainsCAN has enormous synergistic potential to drive innovative approaches to tackle disorders of the brain and mind. This MOU will open up new opportunities for collaboration and help us grow the partnerships to strengthen global intellectual exchange and training,” explained Associate Professor Jess Nithianantharajah, Head of the Synapse Biology and Cognition Research Laboratory at The Florey.

“The current global health crisis of COVID-19 highlights how coming together as an international research community to accelerate scientific knowledge, and advancements are needed now more than ever,” added Associate Professor Nithianantharajah.

Left to right: Associate Professor Jess Nithianantharajah from the Florey and Dr Lisa Saksida from Western University’s BrainsCAN

As part of the MOU, principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students from The Florey and Western University will have increased access to the training opportunities and institutional resources available at both locations.

“Renowned researchers at The Florey and BrainsCAN are already working to better understand the brain,” said Dr Lisa Saksida, Co-Scientific Director of Western’s BrainsCAN and scientist at Robarts Research Institute.

“This partnership will bring our unique expertise together, allowing for collaborative research and accelerating our understanding of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases,” Dr Saksida added.

We look forward to sharing research news and updates as this partnership continues to develop.