With profound sadness at the passing of Professor Jorge Cruz, we pay tribute to our colleague and our friend. He will be remembered not only as a surgeon but also for his enduring legacy as a teacher, mentor, and guide. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

This year’s event carried an added significance, as it marked the 15th anniversary of the inauguration of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, as well as the 385th year of Portugal’s Independence Restoration. These celebrations gave the day an even more symbolic and festive atmosphere, reinforcing the strong connection between the Foundation, the city of Lisbon, and Portugal's cultural heritage.

It’s easy to read emotions on people’s faces — each one has its clear, unmistakable signature. But what about thoughts? A study published in Nature Neuroscience shows that mice’s problem-solving strategies can be deciphered from subtle facial movements. According to the authors, this is a proof of concept that the contents of the mind can be read out from video recordings, potentially offering powerful new research and diagnostic tools.   

Host

Ibrahim Taştekin, PhD, Behavior and Metabolism Lab

Venue

Seminar room

Blending in-depth lectures with guided laboratory sessions, the workshop offered a dynamic introduction to core molecular biology techniques. Participants engaged directly with methods such as RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, electrophoresis, plasmid DNA isolation, sequence analysis, and experimental design for cloning projects.

By combining expert instruction with hands-on practice, the programme not only reinforced fundamental concepts but also fostered confidence in applying these tools to real-world research challenges.

Nicole explores how moving away from the “domino-chain” view of the brain toward seeing it as a complex dynamical system – full of feedback loops and interactions – is opening doors to exciting new discoveries. They talk about the challenges of measuring brain disorders, why fundamental research is so essential, and how predicting salmon populations can help predict seizures in the brain.

Nicole asks a provocative question: what if treating brain disorders is less like replacing a broken part in a machine, and more like trying to redirect a hurricane? Nicole argues that only by embracing the brain as a complex adaptive system can we hope to make real progress.