NE SCIENCE & TECH BUREAU
CHENNAI, JUNE 8
As nations race to unlock the mysteries of the human brain, Chennai emerged as a global hub for neuroscience collaboration this week, with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) hosting the prestigious 3rd BRICS Neuroscience Symposium 2026 for the first time in India.
Held from June 5 to 7 under the theme “Expanding Neuroscience: BRICS & Extended Nations,” the symposium brought together some of the world’s leading neuroscientists, policymakers, innovators and researchers to explore new frontiers in brain science, neurotechnology and international scientific cooperation.
- IIT Madras hosted the 3rd BRICS Neuroscience Symposium 2026, marking the event’s debut in India.
- The symposium brought together leading scientists, policymakers and delegates from BRICS and extended nations.
- Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre unveiled the Human Brainstem Atlas, a major milestone in brain research.
- Global leaders highlighted the importance of international collaboration in tackling complex scientific challenges.
- The event showcased IIT Madras’ growing leadership in neuroscience, neurotechnology and large-scale brain mapping.
The event was organised by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC), a cutting-edge research and development centre established in March 2022 to drive transformative advances in human brain research.
Brain Science Takes Centre Stage in Chennai
The symposium witnessed participation from delegates representing BRICS nations and extended partner countries, reflecting the growing importance of collaborative research in addressing some of humanity’s most complex scientific challenges.
Among the distinguished attendees were Vikram Misri, Ajay Kumar Sood, V Kamakoti, and Kris Gopalakrishnan, along with leading neuroscientists and policymakers from across the globe.
The three-day gathering featured scientific sessions, keynote addresses, technology demonstrations and strategic discussions aimed at advancing international neuroscience initiatives.
A Global Call for Scientific Collaboration
Welcoming delegates from around the world, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized the growing need for international cooperation in an increasingly complex world.
He stated:
“We are entering a world today where the problems are multiplying faster than they ever were before. But we are also in a world where some of the solutions that we are finding are themselves creating new problems of their own. It is in that kind of a world that the value on international collaboration and cooperation is even more. And that spirit of collaboration and cooperation of working together is precisely what BRICS symbolizes.”
His remarks underscored the central theme of the symposium — that breakthroughs in brain science will require collective expertise that transcends national boundaries.
SGBC Emerges as a Global Neuroscience Powerhouse
Addressing the gathering virtually, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Ajay Kumar Sood, highlighted the collaborative foundation on which the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre was built.
He said:
“An important feature of SGBC is that it has been a multi-institutional, multinational and multi-disciplinary endeavour. The Centre has become an exemplar of research and innovation through collaboration and diversified support system for long-term sustainability.”
The statement reflects SGBC’s unique approach of integrating expertise from multiple disciplines, institutions and countries to accelerate scientific discovery.
Since its launch in 2022, the centre has rapidly established itself as one of India’s leading neuroscience research facilities.
Human Brainstem Atlas Marks Major Scientific Milestone
One of the most significant highlights of the symposium was the release of the Human Brainstem Atlas, a landmark scientific resource expected to advance understanding of one of the most complex and critical regions of the human brain.
The atlas forms part of SGBC’s broader efforts to create high-resolution maps of the human brain using advanced imaging technologies.
Researchers believe such resources could pave the way for breakthroughs in understanding neurological disorders, brain function and future neurotechnologies.
Mapping the Brain at Cellular Resolution
The symposium also showcased SGBC’s world-class high-throughput multimodal whole-brain imaging platform, capable of mapping human brains at cellular resolution.
This cutting-edge infrastructure places IIT Madras among a select group of institutions globally equipped to conduct large-scale brain mapping and advanced neuroscience research.
According to experts, these capabilities could significantly accelerate discoveries in areas such as neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive science, brain-computer interfaces and precision medicine.
Highlighting the challenges and opportunities within neuroscience research, Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam said:
“In a highly complex field like neuroscience, multi-national and multi-disciplinary teams are key to solve hard problems and create breakthroughs.”
India’s Growing Role in the Future of Brain Research
The successful hosting of the BRICS Neuroscience Symposium signals India’s growing influence in the global neuroscience ecosystem.
By bringing together scientists, governments and institutions from multiple nations, IIT Madras has reinforced its position as a leading centre for scientific innovation and international collaboration.
As researchers continue their quest to decode the human brain, initiatives such as the Human Brainstem Atlas and the expanding work of SGBC are expected to contribute significantly to the next generation of discoveries in neuroscience and neurotechnology.
