Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB)
@sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social
SIDB aims to discover the biological mechanisms underlying autism and neurodevelopmental conditions. Based at The University of Edinburgh, funded by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI). https://linktr.ee/sidb_edinburgh
Researchers in the Pratt Lab at SIDB have published a paper this month in the Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience investigating the effect of gene microdeletion at the 16p11.2 locus in the human chromosome. 👇Check out the article below! edin.ac/44HRwVb
Yesterday was World Fragile X Day. At SIDB, exciting research is helping us further understanding of Fragile X Syndrome and how it affects the brain. 🔬 Learn more about our work by following the link in our bio! #WorldFragileXDay @edinunineuro.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social
Some of our SIDB members made an appearance at the FENS forum last week in Barcelona, including Professor Peter Kind and Professor Nathalie Rochefort. Many SIDB PhD students and postdocs presented posters on their most recent findings! @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social @edinunineuro.bsky.social
Today is World #CDKL5Day, raising awareness of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder. SIDB stands with the CDKL5 community and recognises the importance of research, awareness and collaboration in improving the lives of those affected. 💙
Congratulations to Kelsey Martin on being awarded the 2026 Kavli Prize in Neuroscience! Kelsey shares this prestigious honour for discoveries that transformed our understanding of how neurons adapt, learn, and form connections. Find out more: edin.ac/3S6A7SX #KavliPrize @simonsfoundation.org
Postdoc opportunity (4 years, full-time) Join the Ian Duguid lab to study how neural circuits enable flexible motor behaviour. Great fit for systems neuroscientists interested in circuits, behaviour & computation. 📅 Apply by 21 May Check out the SIDB vacancies page for more
Today is World Autism Awareness Day 💙 At SIDB, we study the neurological basis of monogenic autism and ID, while fostering a neuroinclusive environment for all. 📸 Cristina Martinez-Gonzalez mentoring on DuoDay @ Edinbugh University @edinunineuro.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social
Celebrating the Brain Awareness Week with SIDB. Together with our sister centre @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social, our mission is to understand the neurological basis of and to test new therapies for monogenic forms of neurodevelopmental disorders. Image credit: Dr Andrew McKechanie
Prof. Ana Domingos will be delivering a seminar titled "The Sympathetic Brain-Body Axis in Obesity" at 3-4pm tomorrow, 12th March at the Wellcome Auditorium in QMRI. You can find out more here👇 edin.ac/4bibaKh @edinunineuro.bsky.social @edinburghuni.bsky.social @edinburghmedschool.bsky.social
It's been a couple of years now since I finished my PhD at the @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social ... and looking back at the experience, I think most of the things I learned had little to do with neuroscience. I list a few of them in my latest blog post at celefthe.com/blog/2026/a-...
Yesterday marked the International Day of Women and Girls in Science👩🔬. SIDB is proud to recognise and support the outstanding women in our community whose work continues to advance our understanding of brain development and function.
We just published a thing! www.frontiersin.org/journals/pha... Here we show that somatostatin interneurons display exaggerated LTP in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome, and which is sensitive to GABAB receptor activation; but which are not manifested at the circuit level - more work to do!
Frontiers | Elevated somatostatin interneuron long-term potentiation minimally regulates temporoammonic plasticity in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome
IntroductionFragile X Syndrome is a common, inherited single gene cause of intellectual disability, associated with autism, epilepsy, anxiety, and sensory di...
frontiersin.org
⏳ 1 weeks left to apply for our PhD studentships! 💡 £25K annual stipend + tuition at SIDB, Edinburgh University🧠 Apply by 20 Jan: 👉 sidb.org.uk/phds/ #ExtraordinaryEdinburgh #Neuroscience #PhD #Edinburgh #Research #Science
The Wood lab is recruiting a postdoc to study neural circuits underlying cognition in rat models of neurodevelopmental disorders. You’ll use high-density in vivo electrophysiology to probe the head-direction system and conduct advanced data analysis. For more: www.sidb.org.uk/vacancies/
Thanks to everyone who joined the 9th Annual SIDB Retreat! Two incredible days of inspiring science, great discussions, and vibrant collaboration. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! Find out more on sidb.org or via linktree in our bio
SIDB recently featured in STV News. Using a GRIN2B rat model, Alfredo Gonzalez-Sulser and Katerina Hristova showed an epilepsy drug can reduce seizures. Check it out ⬇️ edin.ac/3Kz2Mw1 @edinburghmedschool.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social @edinburghuni.bsky.social
Epilepsy medication could control seizures in children with rare brain disorder
Scientists have been studying GRIN2B-Related Disorder, a rare condition that affects the nervous system of young kids.
edin.ac
We are incredibly honored to receive continued support from the Simons Foundation in our mission to uncover the biological mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders
Simons Foundation@simonsfoundation.org · 12mo agoMeet the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain: a center devoted to deconstructing the secrets of neurodevelopmental disorders and the developing brain. Read more: annualreports.simonsfoundation.org/2024/scottis... #science #neuroscience
Thrilled to share that SIDB has received renewed support from the Simons Foundation! We remain committed to advancing the basic science of autism and NDDs through collaboration and open science.
College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, Edinburgh Uni@cmvm-edinburghuni.bsky.social · last yr.Big boost for autism research: The Simons Foundation has pledged up to £40m to study brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders with the aim of finding new treatments for conditions such as Fragile X syndrome and SYNGAP1-related disorders. edin.ac/454Gqt4 @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social
Big boost for autism research: The Simons Foundation has pledged up to £40m to study brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders with the aim of finding new treatments for conditions such as Fragile X syndrome and SYNGAP1-related disorders. edin.ac/454Gqt4 @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social
🎉 Congrats to @cristina-mtz-glz.bsky.social for winning 1st prize in the BNA Photo Competition! Her image of a whole mouse brain labelled for tyrosine hydroxylase, captured with light-sheet microscopy, will feature in the BNA 2025/26 calendar @britishneuro.bsky.social @edinunineuro.bsky.social
This week we welcomed Vicki Johnstone — the new Fragile X Society Family Support Worker for Scotland! 💙 She got a behind-the-scenes look at our work, from neurons to behaviours, plus a peek into our clinical research. We hope she enjoyed it! @edinunineuro.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social
Today on #SYNGAP1AwarenessDay, we at SIDB celebrate scientific progress and honour the people driving change. From molecule to behaviour, we’re committed to understanding and supporting SYNGAP1-ID. Find out more 👇 edin.ac/4nv3ny7 @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social @edinburghuni.bsky.social
Today is International CDKL5 Day! 💚 At SIDB, exciting research is underway to help deepen our understanding of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder and how it affects the brain. 🔬 Learn more about our work by following the link in our bio! @edinburghuni.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social
On the 15th of May, many SIDB members joined the first CDBS Family & Friends Day. Thanks to the organisers and volunteers, we all enjoyed a great day of sceince, games and sunshine. More in our bio @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social @edinunineuro.bsky.social @cmvm-edinburghuni.bsky.social
Celebrating the 1st CDBS Family & Friends Day - The Patrick Wild Centre
On May 16th, CDBS welcomed over 50 families and friends to join us for a day of science and connections.
patrickwildcentre.com
In April, SIDB researchers had a great time presenting at BNA 2025 - Festival of Neuroscience in Liverpool, UK. Find out more in our bio! @edinunineuro.bsky.social @edinburghuni.bsky.social @britishneuro.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social
Deadline of this PhD application has been extended to 10 APRIL! Find out more and apply here
Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB)@sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social · last yr.The Pagan lab is advertising for a 3.5 year fully funded PhD studentship to start in 2025 within SIDB at Edinburgh University, investigating the neural mechanism underlying flexible decision-making. 🗓️Deadline: 4 April 2024 👇Find out more and apply now: sidb.org.uk/phds/study-o...
The Pagan lab is advertising for a 3.5 year fully funded PhD studentship to start in 2025 within SIDB at Edinburgh University, investigating the neural mechanism underlying flexible decision-making. 🗓️Deadline: 4 April 2024 👇Find out more and apply now: sidb.org.uk/phds/study-o...
Prof. Adrian Bird will be deliverying a plenary session on Rett Syndrome at #BNA2025. Check out the full programme here: lnkd.in/esa9hs4x Registration at standard rates held until 7th April lnkd.in/eQGnDp8t @edinburghuni.bsky.social @patrickwildcentre.bsky.social @britishneuro.bsky.social
SIDB and @ukdri.ac.uk researchers at The University of Edinburgh and @ncbsbangalore.bsky.social have found that FMRP maintains the form and function of neuron-maintenance cells, essential for rapid and efficient neuron communication. Read more: www.sidb.org.uk/news-events/...
