Department of Neuroscience
DIRECTOR: Jacopo Meldolesi

The Department of Neuroscience of the San Raffaele Institute has a broad composition since it includes scientists interested in basic research (genetics, molecular and cellular biology, neurophysiology), neuropsycologists (including brain imagers) as well as scientists focussed more specifically on human pathologies of the central nervous system ( e.g. autoimmune diseases, neurosecretory tumors, sleep disturbances). This large number of interests, however, does not result in uncontrolled fragmentation of the Department because all groups are primarily interested in molecular mechanisms and in the development of new models of investigation and also of treatment. The variety of backgrounds and short-term tasks has stimulated in contrast the growth of original thinking and is already providing researchers with ample opportunities of mutual interaction and collaboration. Every two years the activity of the Department is critically analyzed by an Advisory Board composed by scientists of the highest international prestige active in the various research areas. Moreover, stable collaboration, often supported by common research grants, have been established by single groups of the Department with the best international laboratories.