The Brain Fix

In this episode, Professor Rob Lucas talks with Prof Lane Brown from Washington State University, USA, about the third type of photoreceptor in the human eye: intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Together, they explore what these remarkable cells do, why they matter, and the scientific journey—full of surprises and persistence—that led to their discovery. And make sure to listen until the end for some unexpected rock‑climbing stories!

In this episode Professor Stuart Allan talks to Katie Lees, Head of Philanthropy for Health at the University of Manchester, about philanthropy and how donations can have a major impact on the direction of research and other activities in the University. They also discuss the University’s recently launched ‘Challenge Accepted’ major fundraising campaign.

In this episode, Dr Nina Milosavljevic talks to Prof Rob Lucas about biological timing. They discuss the biology behind how your body tells the time.

In this episode, Dr Nina Milosavljevic talks to Professor Emma Robinson from the University of Bristol who shares her insights into neuroscience research in psychedelics and discusses how far away are we from applying their use as treatments for mental health conditions. 

In this episode Professors David Brough and Omar Pathmanaban discuss the remarkable life of Sir Geoffrey Jefferson, the pioneering neurosurgeon who lends his name to Manchester's translational brain research centre.

In this episode Professors David Brough and Omar Pathmanaban discuss the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, also known as The Jeff. David and Omar are joined by The Jeff co-directors Professors Stuart Allan and Andrew King who discuss the development, goals and future of Manchester's translational neuroscience centre.

In this episode, Dr Nina Milosavljevic talks to Prof Rob Lucas about photobiology, and how animals detect light. They discuss an exciting world of animal photopigments and optogenetics and how they have potential, as future therapies, to restore vision in blind patients.

In this episode Prof David Brough talks to Prof Richard Baines about his research at the University of Manchester and the use of fruit flies in neuroscience research.