By coaxing skin cells to become brain cells in a dish, Alysson Muotri hopes to learn how early brain development can go wrong in conditions like autism or epilepsy – and how our brains differ from those of our cousins, the Neanderthals.

By coaxing skin cells to become brain cells in a dish, Alysson Muotri hopes to learn how early brain development can go wrong in conditions like autism or epilepsy &ndash; and how our brains differ from those of our cousins, the Neanderthals.

With support from The Kavli Foundation, Clear+Vivid presents this special series on the power of basic scientific research – from the pure to the practical. What is curiosity-driven research? Why does it matter? How does it play a role in transforming our lives? Where does basic research take place and by whom? Why is investing in basic research essential to society?

Host Alan Alda leads conversations with 10 guests discussing these topics and more, each sharing their point of view and experience about basic science and their personal stories – what got them interested in or involved in science. Science Clear+Vivid runs concurrent with Clear+Vivid Season 10 (October - November) and will be released each Thursday.

With support from The Kavli Foundation, Clear+Vivid presents this special series on the power of basic scientific research &ndash; from the pure to the practical. What is curiosity-driven research? Why does it matter? How does it play a role in transforming our lives? Where does basic research take place and by whom? Why is investing in basic research essential to society?
Host Alan Alda leads conversations with 10 guests discussing these topics and more, each sharing their point of view and experience about basic science and their personal stories &ndash; what got them interested in or involved in science. Science Clear+Vivid runs concurrent with Clear+Vivid Season 10 (October - November) and will be released each Thursday.

Science Clear+Vivid Podcast

With support from <a href="https://www.kavlifoundation.org/">The Kavli Foundation</a>, Clear+Vivid presents this special series on the power of basic scientific research &ndash; from the pure to the practical. What is curiosity-driven research? Why does it matter? How does it play a role in transforming our lives? Where does basic research take place and by whom? Why is investing in basic research essential to society?
Host Alan Alda leads conversations with 10 guests discussing these topics and more, each sharing their point of view and experience about basic science and their personal stories &ndash; what got them interested in or involved in science. Science Clear+Vivid runs concurrent with <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/clear-vivid-with-alan-alda">Clear+Vivid</a> Season 10 (October - November) and will be released each Thursday.

Science Clear+Vivid

Alysson Muotri: A Brain Begins – in a Dish

A scientist fluent in the atomic properties of materials like glass and steel and wood, Anna Ploszajski wanted the hands-on experience of how craftspeople use them. The result is her book, Handmade: A Scientist’s Search for Meaning Through Making.

A scientist fluent in the atomic properties of materials like glass and steel and wood, Anna Ploszajski wanted the hands-on experience of how craftspeople use them. The result is her book, Handmade: A Scientist&rsquo;s Search for Meaning Through Making.

Anna Ploszajski: When Science Meets Craft

You may not realize it, but you are subtly revising and updating your memories all the time – to keep them, as Daphna Shohamy puts it, “nimble,” and so better able to help you chart both the present and the future.

You may not realize it, but you are subtly revising and updating your memories all the time &ndash; to keep them, as Daphna Shohamy puts it, &ldquo;nimble,&rdquo; and so better able to help you chart both the present and the future.

Daphna Shohamy: Your Creative Memory

As a young Italian physics student, Caterina Vernieri was lucky enough to join the team hunting for the most elusive and highly-prized fundamental particle of all – the Higgs boson – just as it was found. She is now leading a team building the detector that may reveal the Higgs’ secrets.

As a young Italian physics student, Caterina Vernieri was lucky enough to join the team hunting for the most elusive and highly-prized fundamental particle of all &ndash; the Higgs boson&nbsp;&ndash; just as it was found. She is now leading a team building the detector that may reveal the Higgs&rsquo; secrets.

Alysson Muotri: A Brain Begins – in a Dish

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