Welcome to CortexCast, a space for deep dives into the workings of the human brain. We explore neurones and networks, memory and meaning, the biology of thought and the art of being. Each episode brings inspiring conversations with world-leading neurobiologists that connect science, philosophy and imagination. This is the official podcast of Oxford University Cortex Club - the student-led neuroscience society that through research seminars and workshops unites the academic community to decode the mind.
Latest episodes
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21 min
Season 3 Episode 3 | Between Order and Chaos: Exploring the Entropic Brain
Why do psychedelics, dreams, and mental illnesses feel so different from everyday awareness? We unpack the Entropic Brain Hypothesis and what it tells us about flexibility, rigidit…
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57 min
Season 3 Episode 2 | Our Brains, Our Selves: In Conversation with Prof. Masud Husain
If memory fades or motivation disappears, what remains of the self? In this episode, Professor Masud Husain reflects on how neurological disorders illuminate the fragile yet resili…
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12 min
Season 3 Episode 1 | Through the Looking Glass: How Your Eyes Decode the Light Show
How does the human eye transform waves of light into the vivid, detailed experience we call vision? In this episode of CortexCast, we follow photons on their journey from the momen…
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28 min
Wired for Care: Neural Circuits with Dr. Johannes Kohl
In this episode, Neddy speaks with Dr. Johannes Kohl on the brain circuitry behind instinctive behaviours like parenting and shares insights for early-career researchers navigating…
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23 min
Motor neurone disease and iPSCs - Dr. Björn Vahsen
In this episode, Katy interviews Björn Vahsen to discuss his ongoing research on Motor neurone disease using iPSCs to co-culture microglia and motor neurons.
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20 min
Sleep and Scents - Dr. Julia Harris
In this episode, we interview Dr. Julia Harris to discuss her ongoing research on sleep utilising the olfactory system.
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31 min
Recovering Movement - Charlotte Stagg
In this episode with Professor Charlotte Stagg, we talk about non-invasive brain stimulation techniques used to understand how the brain adapts to new challenges in the recovery of…
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32 min
Snoozing Fruitflies
In this episode with Dr Sarnataro, we explore techniques used during his recent PhD to investigate the mitochondrial dynamics in neurons of sleeping fruitflies. Raffaele also offer…
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21 min
The Moving Brain with Dr. Andrew Peters
We met with Dr Andrew Peters (a new PI) to discuss his career in neuroscience so far studying movement in the brain. By combining multiple modern techniques, Andy interrogates glob…
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53 sec
Season 2 Trailer
The trailer for the second season of CortexCast.
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55 min
It's All Optical - Adam Packer
We discuss all-optical interrogation techniques and the mysterious claustrum. Paula Kaanders and Lukas Krone talk to Dr Adam Packer from the Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Gen…
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49 min
Facing Depression - Catherine Harmer
We discuss the brain mechanisms behind depression. Paula Kaanders and Lukas Krone talk to Prof Catherine Harmer from the Department of Psychiatry about her work on emotional proces…
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1 h 15
This Might Hurt - Irene Tracey
We discuss the Neuroscience of Pain perception Lukas Krone and Alex von Klemperer talk to Prof Irene Tracey of the Oxford Nuffield Clinical Neurosciences Department about her pione…
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1 h 03
At The Interface : Richard Mooney
We discuss Auditory Neuroscience in particular during vocal learning Auditory Neurobiologist Prof Richard Mooney from the Duke University joins Alex and Sam to discuss his work on…
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49 min
At First Sight - Holly Bridge
We discuss how the Brain processes vision. Holly Bridge from the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging discusses how the visual system works. We also talk about how visual p…
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43 min
Sleeping with One Eye Open - Vladyslav Vyazovskiy
We discuss the Science of Sleep Renowned sleep scientist prof Vladyslav Vyazovskiy from the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics at Oxford University sits down with Alex…
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10 min
Intro : Cortex Just Keeps the Rest of the Brain Warm
We talk through what listeners can expect from future episodes of CortexCast. In this introductory episode Alex, Paula and Samuel explain the purpose of this new podcast series and…