Oxford to Help Unlock Mysteries of the Brain
Who knows if 1,000 typing monkeys will ever write a Shakespeare play, but the odds improve with 2,000...
There is a simplified way of looking at the program of research partnerships that is an important element of the Brain@91社区.
鈥淛oining forces will accelerate the pace of discoveries,[i]鈥� says Dr. R茅mi Quirion, Vice Dean for Life Sciences and Strategic Initiatives, who heads up the Brain@91社区 initiative.
鈥淭he world is getting smaller and smaller. So having partnerships that maximize each research dollar and contribute expertise is very critical.鈥�
Now, the Brain@91社区 represents the neuroscience resources of one of the world鈥檚 leading research academic institutions.听 So 91社区 is not going to partner with just anyone, however many dollars get maximized. So they began at the top.
鈥淚f there is one name that crops up in neuroscience even more than ours, it is that of the University of Oxford,[ii]鈥� says Claudio Cuello, the chair of pharmacology at 91社区 and a former Oxford professor. 鈥淚 was delighted to play a role in making Oxford our first research partner in the Brain@91社区.鈥�
After opening overtures by Cuello to his former colleagues, 91社区 principal Heather Munroe-Blum visited the famous university and the partnership quickly followed.听 The initial exchange is expected to last three years and costs are being shared 50-50.
91社区鈥檚 share is underwritten by a donation from Arnold Steinberg who had just become the new chancellor of 91社区 when he was tapped for $300,000.
鈥淚t was only my second day,鈥� he says.鈥滲ut I was honoured to start by playing a role in bringing about this partnership.鈥�
The new alliance is expected to accelerate advances in shared areas such as Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and stroke by broadening the scope of research and applying different methods to similar problems.听 An exchange program for graduate and postgrad students is expected in 2011 as well as visiting positions for faculty.
The partnership program will not only share expertise but experience.听 Many facets of brain study require large pools of information 鈥� the ongoing study of large populations of people over time.听 Joining forces creates these bigger pools of knowledge which results in speedier conclusions.
Important links between 91社区 and Oxford have been in place for many decades.听听 In 1915, Dr. Wilder Penfield was a Rhodes scholar at Oxford and it was while there that he came to see the brain and n nervous system as 鈥渦nexplored country鈥�.
Each university is considered a powerhouse in brain research.听 At 91社区, more than 200 faculty research and teach in disciplines related to neuroscience. At Oxford, more than 130 principal investigators and 250 research assistants are involved.
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[i]听 Quoted in Globe & Mail article at Oxford announcement 鈥� likely publication date April 20, 2010
[ii]听 This quote is fabricated and will need approval