Uncovering universal principles in the brain through cross-disciplinary and cross-species research

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 

A major challenge in neuroscience is understanding the organizational principles of brain structure and function that transcend scales and species. Identifying these generalizable principles is crucial for ensuring the reliability of new neuroscientific knowledge, especially in this era of rapid technological advancement. In this talk, I will explore the idea that we can make significant strides into uncovering simple and elegant principles governing the brain through the synthesis of cross-disciplinary and cross-species perspectives.

I will first highlight how we can leverage theoretical concepts from physics and engineering (e.g., scaling laws, resonant modes, and criticality), experimental techniques (e.g., imaging), and computational tools (e.g., modeling) to understand principles of brain organization and function at multiple scales—from cellular microcircuits to the whole brain. I will then argue that to fully grasp the universality of these principles, they must be understood in the context of evolution. By comparing neuroanatomy, molecular diversity, and functional organization across species, we can disentangle the fundamental constraints of brain structure and function from species-specific adaptations.

Together, I aim to show integrating knowledge across disciplines and species can the brain’s underlying simplicity. Such an approach not only deepens our understanding of brain complexity but also provides a framework for unifying the diverse methodologies and insights that define modern neuroscience.