Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour

The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour (SWC), funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Wellcome, aims to understand how computation in neural circuits gives rise to flexible, complex behaviour.

The brain is remarkable in its ability to produce a rich array of inbuilt and learned behaviours, which are deployed flexibly to meet individuals’ needs and environmental demands. Behaviour emerges from distributed computations in specialised neural circuits across brain regions, with the same regions often contributing to multiple behaviours. How networks of neurons give rise to this adaptive and complex repertoire of function is a fundamental scientific question of our era. Research at SWC seeks to identify a set of elemental neural computations that underlie different behaviours and determine how they are implemented at the level of circuits, cells and synapses, with the long-term goal to use this knowledge to build a coherent theoretical framework that combines these neural computations and explains how complex behavioural processes relate to neural circuit mechanisms.

Linking theoretical and experimental research

Experimentalists are generating more and more data as recording techniques become more advanced. This large amount and variety of data will require sophisticated data analysis tools that can pick up meaningful signals among noise. Analysis of existing datasets can also motivate new questions that can be be tested/validated experimentally. One of our goals is to bridge the gap between theoretical and experimental neuroscience, and we have been working closely with SWC colleagues to develop mechanisms in which we can collaborate and interact to move neuroscience forward. 

• To train a new generation of neuroscientists, we have developed parallel PhD programmes (Gatsby Unit PhD Programme in Theoretical Neuroscience and Machine Learning, SWC PhD Programme in Systems Neuroscience). In 2024, we have launched a new joint PhD programme (GCNU-SWC joint PhD programme) that aims to bridge the gap between theory and experiments and to immerse students in both experimental and theoretical thinking.
• We have created a joint GCNU-SWC Group Leader position for Machine Learning applied to Neuroscience (Andrew Saxe), with the ambition to apply theoretical and machine learning tools to systems neuroscience questions.

• Our researchers are actively collaborating and engaging with SWC colleagues with joint research projects and working group.

   

Research culture

As well as working together to unravel the mystery of how brains and machines can learn and behave intelligently, we are transforming research culture for an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can flourish, and which sets a standard for the wider scientific community. Examples include:

• Together with SWC we received an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2021 for our commitment to promoting gender equality. We are preparing to submit a joint application for Silver status and integral to this process is the joint Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team comprising members representing researchers, technicians, professional services staff and the student body at the Gatsby Unit and SWC. Find out more about our commitment to promoting gender equality.
• We have run joint initiatives to raise awareness and encourage reflection of issues such as bias, bullying and harassment, and sexism in the workplace. Find out more about these initiatives.
• In addition to running joint outreach activities, our students, researchers and staff members participate in the SWC Public Engagement Network and contribute to SWC’s public engagement efforts.