Science in the spotlight of Europalia Italia
WHEN?,- 12 November 2003, 6.00 pm - " Brain and Mind " conference featuring Edoardo Boncinelli,- 9 December 2003, 6.00 pm - " Neuroscience in the Third Millenium " conference featuring Nobel Prize Winner Rita Levi-Montacini WHERE? ,Palais des Academies,Rue Ducale 1, Brussels 1000 Europalia Italia 2003 introduces for the first time a new " associated scientific programme " scheme, featuring science as part of the fundamental culture of the guest country Italy. The events, involving world class Italian scientists in key disciplines for the future of science and society, will provide an opportunity to discuss the impact of sophisticated cutting edge research. Brain and Mind ,Professor Edoardo Boncinelli Professor Edoardo Boncinelli has contributed significantly to understanding the mechanisms of embryonic development in animals and man. A physicist by education, he worked in the field of genetics and molecular biology. In 1985 he was among the first to grasp the significance of the novel discoveries on the genetic control of drosophila development and to apply them to the study of mammals and humans. His team identified and characterized a gene family, the 39 HOX homeogenes, controlling the correct development of the trunk, from neck to tail. These findings are recognized as landmarks in modern biology. His scientific endeavours continue with studying the development of brain and cerebral cortex and identifying additional homeogene families, which have an impact on human health. Professor Boncinelli is now the director of the International School for Advanced Studies in Trieste, a university lecturer, a columnist for Le Scienze and Il Corriere della Sera and the author of numerous scientific and popular books. He is also a member of Academia Europaea and of the European Molecular Biology Organisation, and a former president of the Italian Society of Biophysics and Molecular Biology. Why brain and mind? Thanks to the convergence of such powerful and promising research fields as experimental psychology (referred to as cognitive science), biology (especially molecular biology) and brain imaging methodologies, it is now particularly rewarding and appropriate to speak about brain and mind. It has become possible to visualise which part of the brain is actually at work when a particular mental task is performed. Professor Boncinelli will review latest advances in this field, with particular emphasis on the role of sensory organs, coding and processing of sensorial information, memory, rationality, sense and various aspects of consciousness. ,Neuroscience in the third millennium ,Nobel Prize Rita Levi-Montalcini and Professor Pietro Calissano Rita Levi Montalcini was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1986 for her discovery of the nervous growth factor back in 1953. Born in 1909 in Turin, she was forced to leave the University because of the racial laws. She became professor of neurology in the Washington University of Saint Lous and dedicated her entire professional career to studying the nervous system. She returned definitvely to Italy in 1977 to take on the direction of the CNR Institute for Cellular Biology in Rome. She has been President of the Institute of the Italian Encyclopaedia and is a member of the most prestigious scientific academies, such as the Accademia dei Lincei, the Papal Academy of Sciences, The US National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society. Apart from scientific books she has published numerous essays and her autobiography "Elogio dell'imperfezione".,She is strongly involved in the defence of the independence of scientific research and in social work, in the education of women in developing countries through the Foundation that she has set up. What next after the Brain Decade? One of the challenges of our times is the need for a more sophisticated knowledge of the human brain to face the increasing neurodegenerative pathologies caused by the prolongation of human life. The last decade of the XX century has been proclaimed the Brain Decade both in America and in Europe. Yet, from the molecular to the behavioural levels, the scientific and technological breakthroughs have not demonstrated the full potential of interdisciplinary research. In order to encourage such a synergy, Rita Levi-Montalcini has promoted the establishment of the European Brain Research Institute and she will present its scientific and social advantages on 9th December in Brussels. The two high level lectures are associated to Europalia and to the Italian Presidency research and innovation initiatives. Details on the other conferences and events included in the scientific programme of Europalia will be featured on the CORDIS Italian Presidency research and innovation information service http://cordis.europa.eu/italy/(opens in new window) It offers news and practical information about Italian research and innovation, as part of a larger gateway service on the European Research Area. To attend the conferences and/or to schedule interviews, journalists are invited to contact: ,Claudio Lombardo,Office of the Scientific Attaché, Italian Embassy,Tel. +32 2 643 38 65; Fax: + 32 2 648 78 40,E-mail: ambit.bxl.scientifico@attglobal.net More information on Europalia is available at: http://www.europalia.be(opens in new window)
Countries
Belgium, Italy