Despite recent scientific breakthroughs in understanding how the human brain works, much remains unknown about the ‘most complex machine in the universe’, as the brain is often called. With nearly 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion connections, the human brain controls all body functions from breathing to sensory processing and motor skills, but is also responsible for memory, speech and emotion. Furthering the understanding of the brain requires an ambitious effort across many diverse scientific disciplines.
It is not only a fascinating endeavour for basic science, brain research also helps address some of the greatest challenges in medicine such as stroke, brain tumours, degenerative disorders and psychiatric conditions. Modern neuroscience tools and technologies as well as promising new research avenues, such as brain organoids, yield unprecedented opportunities and create significant progress in the quest to understanding the human brain.

The 7th KAST-Leopoldina Bilateral Symposium will bring together renowned scientists from South Korea and Germany to explore current trends and latest results in brain research as well as discuss new ways to treat, cure, and even prevent brain disorders. 
The scientific coordinators are Professor Hans R. Schöler ML, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, on behalf of the Leopoldina, and Professor Bong-Kiun Kaang, Seoul National University, on behalf of KAST.

ML = Member of the Leopoldina