Abstract

Eight percent of the world own a car and 350 million watch the world’s leading car programme; 100% own a brain, yet very few understand what the brain does. Here we ask ourselves that question, and explore the role Chemistry plays in perhaps one of the world’s most complex biological puzzles: the human brain. Although much remains unknown about the human brain, neuroscience has made significant inroads in the last 150 years into mapping the brain and understanding the mechanisms it uses to function. We briefly explore what is known, starting small with neurones, and working our way through neural circuitry, neuroanatomy and behaviour. Finally we explore what happens when certain parts of the brain go wrong…

Followed by a free drinks reception, sponsored by the Royal Society of Chemistry.