A conversation with the Korea Brain Research Institute on advancing global neuroscience collaboration
IBI Chair, Dr. Judy Illes, recently hosted a conversation with Dr. Ja Wook Koo, on behalf also of Dr. Jong Cheol Rah and Dr. Heon Seok, to discuss the relationship between the Korea Brain Research Institute (KBRI) and International Brain Initiative (IBI) in advancing global neuroscience collaboration and the recently held IBI Daegu Conference 2024 – Psychiatric Brain Mapping in Health & Disease. Dr. Koo serves as Director of the KBRI Global Emotion & Addiction Research Project. Dr. Rah is the Principal Investigator of the KBRI Sensory and Motor Systems Neuroscience Group. Dr. Seok, who serves as the Senior Researcher of the KBRI Korea Brain Bank, participated in the conversation.
The importance of international collaboration in neuroscience
Dr. Koo described that the complexity of neuroscience necessitates collaborative research, where pooling diverse expertise and resources is immensely beneficial. International collaborations enable scientists to share knowledge, methodologies, and data, thereby accelerating discoveries and innovations. Dr. Koo emphasized that these partnerships play a crucial role in establishing standardized protocols and practices, ensuring the reproducibility and comparability of research findings across different regions and institutions. Additionally, he reaffirmed that collaboration brings together scientists with various cultural and scientific backgrounds, fostering innovation through diverse perspectives and approaches.
Dr. Koo explained how KBRI has recognized the importance of global neuroscience, as demonstrated by their initiation of the Global Emotion & Addiction Project three years ago. This institutional research program aims to facilitate global brain research collaboration. Engaging with the global neuroscience community allows KBRI researchers to access cutting-edge techniques and knowledge, significantly enhancing the quality and impact of their research. He detailed that participation in international projects opens opportunities for collaborative studies, leading to high-impact publications and advancements in neuroscience. Global collaborations also provide access to international funding, data, and resources that may be limited domestically.
KBRI and the IBI
Dr. Koo and Dr. Rah emphasize four values and priorities with the IBI: striving for innovation and excellence, attempting groundbreaking discoveries, maintaining high standards of research excellence, and fostering a collaborative environment that includes diverse scientific communities.
They also uphold three significant milestones with IBI: the formation of global consortia, establishing formal collaborations between leading neuroscience institutes and researchers globally, and developing shared resources like databases and biobanks accessible to the global neuroscience community. The publication of major findings through high-impact publications and international conferences further disseminates research outcomes.
With IBI, there is a strong aspiration to advance understanding of the brain and its disorders through collaborative and interdisciplinary research. Developing innovative solutions and treatments for neurological diseases and mental health conditions is a key goal. Additionally, establishing global standards for neuroscience research and data is crucial to enhance the reproducibility and reliability of findings. These efforts collectively aim to propel the field of neuroscience forward, benefiting researchers and patients worldwide.
Summary of the IBI Daegu Conference 2024
Dr. Koo reported that the IBI Daegu Conference 2024 – Psychiatric Brain Mapping in Health & Disease, was a major success, bringing together global experts to discuss groundbreaking research. The event, hosted by the Korea Brain Research Institute, featured lectures and symposia on topics like memory/cognitive impairment, psychosis/schizophrenia. Highlights included presentations on hippocampus-dependent memory, gene-environment interactions in stress and sociality, and the brain's reward systems in addiction.
The conference provided valuable networking opportunities, especially for students and early-career researchers, fostering new collaborations that are expected to lead to future advancements in neuroscience. The event underscored the importance of international collaboration and left attendees excited about the future of neuroscience research.
The IBI looks forward to further collaboration with KBRI in advancing global neuroscience!