The Neuroscience Area at SISSA explores the brain and nervous system from different perspectives and across multiple scales. Research spans the genetic mechanisms underlying neurobiological processes, the functioning of nerve cells and neural networks, and the ways in which human and animal brains generate perception, action and communication.
Research groups bring together cognitive, systems, cellular and molecular approaches, combining experiments, quantitative analysis and computational methods across cognitive neuroscience, neurobiology, and functional and structural genomics.
The Area connects its three PhD programmes and laboratories through shared training, research facilities and scientific collaboration. Its infrastructure includes human cognition laboratories, microscopy and molecular biology facilities, and access to advanced computing resources. In collaboration with the Mathematics Area, the Cognitive Neuroscience Group also contributes to SAMBA, an experimental laboratory focusing on microscale motility, bio-inspired shape morphing and tactile perception.
The department hosts several shared facilities. These include cell culture rooms, viral vector facilities, confocal microscopes, molecular and biochemical facilities, a mechatronics workshop, and human cognition labs with EEG, TMS, and eye tracking systems.
More details on our internal experimental facilities, the technical staff and instrument booking can be found at Facilities and Services (the page is visible only inside the SISSA's LAN or externally via VPN connection).
Access to MRI scanning is guaranteed through agreements with national and international scanning facilities. Computing resources are provided internally thanks to the Ulisse HPC platform and externally through agreements with CINECA.