NeuroBio UK 2025: Insights, Innovation, and Inspiration in Neuroscience

I recently had the fantastic experience of attending the NeuroBio UK Conference at the National STEM Learning Centre in York. It was an inspiring gathering of neuroscience researchers, imaging experts, and innovators, all sharing cutting-edge insights and ideas. This post comes a little late, partly because I’ve been buried in experiments and grant writing, and partly because I wanted time to digest and organise all the insights the day sparked.

I had the privilege of kicking off the day with a talk on my own research, summarising preliminary findings from my postdoctoral work at the Francis Crick Institute. My presentation focused on super-resolution live imaging, highlighting some of the exciting progress we’ve been making in visualising dynamic cellular processes in unprecedented detail. NeuroBio UK aims to provide a platform for sharing the latest research, with a particular emphasis on early-career speakers, and it was a real honour to contribute to that vision.

Presenting to such a receptive and curious audience was immensely rewarding. The questions during my talk were both engaging and insightful, sparking fresh perspectives on my data and approaches. Right from the start, it was clear that this was a vibrant, collaborative community, an environment where curiosity and generosity of thought drive every exchange. The combination of cutting-edge research, open dialogue, and genuine enthusiasm made for an energising start to the conference. I left my session inspired by the questions I received and eager to explore potential collaborations and new directions for my experiments.

Throughout the day, I was immersed in a fascinating array of advanced imaging techniques and their applications in neuroscience. One session that particularly captured my attention focused on the axonal endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a structure I haven’t explored in detail myself but one that plays crucial roles in neuronal organisation and function. Using a combination of electron microscopy (EM) and Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) super-resolution imaging, researchers are able to dissect the intricate architecture of the axonal ER and examine how its organisation and dynamics change in disease states. While ER isn’t my primary area of expertise, I’m always drawn to innovative approaches and their applications to complex biological questions. These studies were a powerful reminder that imaging continues to expand the boundaries of what we can observe and understand. Technologies are no longer just tools for structural observation, they are now powerful ways to link form, function, and pathology in ways that would have seemed unimaginable a decade ago.

Other highlights included impressive confocal microscopy studies exploring glial-to-neuron reprogramming, which used fluorescent markers to track shifts in cellular identity and activity. There were also fascinating investigations into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) models, where super-resolution imaging revealed new insights into disease mechanisms. Overall, the talks and posters showcased both the innovative range of imaging approaches and the diversity of techniques driving advances across neuroscience.

It was also encouraging to see strong industry and organisational engagement supporting the event. Sponsors included the British Society for Cell Biology, MyBio, Spirochrome, Stratech, and Nikon. Their involvement underscored the collaborative spirit of the meeting, fostering valuable connections between academia, industry, and the wider scientific community.

Beyond the science, what truly made NeuroBio UK special was the atmosphere. Discussions were engaging, thought-provoking, and infused with a genuine sense of community. I met many researchers pursuing exciting work and enjoyed excellent networking opportunities. Overall, the conference was a fantastic blend of cutting-edge science, collaborative discussion, and professional inspiration. I left York energised, with many new ideas for my own research and a renewed appreciation for the creativity and rigor within the neuroscience community.

I would highly recommend this conference to anyone in the field. It also served as a reminder of the unique benefits of smaller, local conferences: their scale makes it easier to connect with speakers and peers, fosters meaningful discussions, encourages collaboration, and provides a welcoming space for early-career researchers to share their work and gain constructive feedback.

That said, I’m also looking forward to attending the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) conference in San Diego next month, the world’s largest neuroscience conference, where I will again present my research thanks to receiving a Trainee Professional Development Award. SfN will offer a very different experience, and I hope it will be equally rewarding. Every conference has its pros and cons, and the value often depends on how you engage and who you meet. I plan to write a report on my time at SfN afterward, hopefully with less delay this time!

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