Final Activity Report Summary - CORTEX (Cooperation in research and training for European excellence in the Neurosciences)
The scientific focus of CORTEX as defined at the outset concerned the mechanisms of damage of common brain disorders and the ability of the CNS to adapt when challenged. The advantage of such a broad approach is that CORTEX offered a vast array of neuroscience topics allowing early stage researchers to develop their personal areas of interest and research focus. However, it was a challenge to form specific research project collaborations. The networking and exchange during joint PhD trainings and steering committee meetings was a great success, leading to a real spirit of collegiality and positive group dynamics. 2 students were awarded with PhD-degrees already, 11 other fellows will complete their PhD within the next year. Numerous high level publications with students in prominent positions were published or are under preparation, and all graduates were able to continue their careers in attractive positions.
The broad spectrum of CORTEX research dictated that rotations to labs within the consortium remained an exception. As reported previously, the initially envisioned duration of 2 rotations of 6 months each turned out to be incompatible with progress in the research projects. It already takes up to two years for a PhD student to become proficient and productive and to gain publishable data. To rotate away when the fruits of their labour can be harvested is not in the interest of the PhDs, nor their supervisors. Thus we changed the rotation concept to one of a short term lab visits where PhDs could learn complementary techniques or discuss alternative approaches to their line of investigation.
Of the 504 person months projected in the proposal, CORTEX successfully delivered 503.5. Of the initially recruited early stage researchers, only two dropped out of the program, yet could be replaced swiftly. The fellows appreciated most the excellent networking opportunity Cortex provided them with. Getting an insight into top neurosciences laboratories and research institutions across Europe, making contact with renowned experts in their field in 7 European countries and forming a group of 14 motivated early stage researchers from different national and academic backgrounds that met twice a year really benefitted the fellows. Likewise, the regular complementary skills training and intense career coaching based on trainings and individual mentoring was very much appreciated by the fellows. In terms of room for improvement, fellows would have preferred to work in a more integrated research setting allowing for intense scientific cooperation in joint projects. Also, with most fellows not having completed their research during the funding period, an increased maximum number of funded person months from 36 to 48 would have been preferred.
As laid out in the proposal, all fellows met twice a year for specific training modules offered once by each partner. Where feasible, the PhD trainings were integrated into larger symposia or scientific meetings. A highlight was certainly the Stockholm training, during which the fellows were attending the Nobel lectures.
The management of the program worked very well. The steering committee met regularly and took unanimous decisions. It was supported by effective administration and the partner institutions all worked very well together in terms of submitting reports and budgets. The steering committee carefully recruited the fellows and regularly evaluated their progress.
One of the CORTEX highlights is the outreach project 'The Beautiful Mind'. CORTEX fellows put together an exhibit of neuronal art. Fluorescent images of various brains cells and structures are on display in backlight frames making them glow in the dark. The exhibit was opened in Berlin in the Museum of History of Medicine and is now travelling to museums, galleries, and scientific meetings in Zurich, Amsterdam, Helsinki, The Hague, Paris and Lisbon.
The broad spectrum of CORTEX research dictated that rotations to labs within the consortium remained an exception. As reported previously, the initially envisioned duration of 2 rotations of 6 months each turned out to be incompatible with progress in the research projects. It already takes up to two years for a PhD student to become proficient and productive and to gain publishable data. To rotate away when the fruits of their labour can be harvested is not in the interest of the PhDs, nor their supervisors. Thus we changed the rotation concept to one of a short term lab visits where PhDs could learn complementary techniques or discuss alternative approaches to their line of investigation.
Of the 504 person months projected in the proposal, CORTEX successfully delivered 503.5. Of the initially recruited early stage researchers, only two dropped out of the program, yet could be replaced swiftly. The fellows appreciated most the excellent networking opportunity Cortex provided them with. Getting an insight into top neurosciences laboratories and research institutions across Europe, making contact with renowned experts in their field in 7 European countries and forming a group of 14 motivated early stage researchers from different national and academic backgrounds that met twice a year really benefitted the fellows. Likewise, the regular complementary skills training and intense career coaching based on trainings and individual mentoring was very much appreciated by the fellows. In terms of room for improvement, fellows would have preferred to work in a more integrated research setting allowing for intense scientific cooperation in joint projects. Also, with most fellows not having completed their research during the funding period, an increased maximum number of funded person months from 36 to 48 would have been preferred.
As laid out in the proposal, all fellows met twice a year for specific training modules offered once by each partner. Where feasible, the PhD trainings were integrated into larger symposia or scientific meetings. A highlight was certainly the Stockholm training, during which the fellows were attending the Nobel lectures.
The management of the program worked very well. The steering committee met regularly and took unanimous decisions. It was supported by effective administration and the partner institutions all worked very well together in terms of submitting reports and budgets. The steering committee carefully recruited the fellows and regularly evaluated their progress.
One of the CORTEX highlights is the outreach project 'The Beautiful Mind'. CORTEX fellows put together an exhibit of neuronal art. Fluorescent images of various brains cells and structures are on display in backlight frames making them glow in the dark. The exhibit was opened in Berlin in the Museum of History of Medicine and is now travelling to museums, galleries, and scientific meetings in Zurich, Amsterdam, Helsinki, The Hague, Paris and Lisbon.