“Neuroscience Week 2024” was launched at the Medical University on May 16 in cooperation with the “COBRAIN” Center of YSMU and the International Stress and Behavior Society (ISBS).
Various scientific events were held within the framework of the four-day event, which brought together around 200 participants from 20 countries.
“It is an honor for me to host such a prestigious scientific event with the participation of leading scientists and researchers from around two dozen countries of the world at our university. Your presence here is a testament to your commitment to global collaboration and the field of neuroscience. Our vision is to promote the creation of an environment for faculty and students in the university where new knowledge is born, scientific thought develops, and scientific research is given special importance. Neuroscience, with its depth and perspective, occupies a special place in our academic community. This week we have a unique opportunity to explore the latest developments in fields ranging from brain biochemistry to neurological and mental health issues, including the genetics underlying their disorders. During Neuroscience Week, our esteemed speakers, who are leaders in their field, will share their groundbreaking research and insights,” YSMU Rector Armen Muradyan said in his message. He emphasized that the scientific symposium dedicated to biochemist, professor Mikhail Aghajanov, the patriarch of medicine, honored figure of science of Armenia; was particularly important for the university.
“The event is not being held for the first time, but it is already the second. This year it is held on the same days as last year. We are trying to form a culture of neuroscience week, to bring the scientific focus of the world here, on the medical platform, in our country, by presenting various, interesting reports and events related to neuroscience. 130 participants from twenty countries will share the latest research. This shows that the “COBRAIN” Center is ready enough that people want to participate, and this is extremely important. Having spent the third, fourth, fifth year, we can state that the medical university is becoming an international platform in the field of neuroscience”, Konstantin Yenkoyan, YSMU Vice-Rector for Science, said in a conversation with journalists.
Answering the question about the conducted researches, the chief researcher of YSMU “COBRAIN” Center stated that the main scientific research conducted by them was to have a healthy human brain. “From small to large, we study brain functions, pathology, and as of today, we have something to say about both autism and Alzheimer’s disease, putting the main emphasis on what lesions occur during embryonic development that affect children”, Konstantin Yenkoyan added.
On May 16, “Neuroscience Week 2024” started with a lecture dedicated to the memory of Professor Mikhail Aghajanov. The event was attended by his wife, Nelly Aharonova, and her daughter Professor Elena Aghajanova, Head of the Department of Endocrinology.
The path of the long-time Head of the Department of Biochemistry, who passed away at the end of March, was the core of the professional material presented by Professor Yenkoyan.
Professor of Neuroscience Allan Kalueff, Visiting Professor of YSMU, member of the Advisory Board of the “COBRAIN” Center, Director of the “ZENEREI” Research Center; noted that as the chairman of the conference, it was a great honor for him to announce the start of the event. “This is a unique platform. Armenia acts as a peaceful corner that unites people and scientists. In the coming years, we will continue to hold conferences here, developing cooperation. Neurobiology is historically developed in Armenia, and similar international scale events give a second breath. The community of neuroscientists lost two leading members: Professor Winston, a member of the Academy of Sciences of Finland, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and Professor Aghajanov: he was a rare person, he had a tactful, diplomatic attitude in any life situation; he was distinctly different with his gentle smile. We will miss his smile, his approach very much,” Allan Kalueff stressed.
Daniel Anthony, a representative of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Oxford, spoke about the researches being carried out to identify biomarkers of mental health and their results. In the course of the research, he said, the data of the United Kingdom biobank were used.
“It is a great honor to be in Armenia today and to meet my colleagues,” said Jacek Jaworski, a member of the Advisory Board of the “COBRAIN” Center, representing the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of the Nencki Institute in Warsaw. He introduced the diversity of neuronal morphology in the framework of “Genes underlying the morphology of mature neurons and their relationship to stress and depression” report.
The organizers of the conference are confident that it will provide an effective opportunity for cooperation and exchanges. It should be noted that this is a rare opportunity to communicate with the brightest players in neuroscience, to enrich academic and professional knowledge and to pave one’s own scientific path.