- On May 20, the first edition of BrainStorm Battles was held at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Sols-Morreale (IIBM, CSIC-UAM), a scientific initiative promoted by the NeuroACTIVAS Committee of the Neurological Diseases Programme
BrainStorm Battles is a training activity in which researchers work in teams to debate and defend an assigned scientific paper, combining solid arguments, debate strategies and creativity. Each group carried out an in-depth analysis of the selected articles, designed their approach to challenge opposing teams and prepared potential rebuttals.
During the session, participants discussed different approaches to RNA-seq analysis —such as the use of Bioconductor pipelines versus pseudobulk strategies— as well as strategies to identify sex-associated differences in the treatment of major depression. All teams presented well-founded arguments, also incorporating creative elements into their presentations, including dances.
At the end of the competition, the jury selected the most convincing teams, who were awarded sweet “neuro-treats”. It was a day marked by scientific debate, creativity and a great atmosphere, in which participants shared knowledge, energy and enthusiasm.
NeuroACTIVAS is a scientific-educational committee within the Neurological Diseases Programme, part of the IIBM’s MAX initiative. It is composed of Celia López Menéndez (coordinator), María Alieva Krasheninnikova, Beatriz Muñoz Falder, Alain J. de Solis and Ignacio Silva Llanes. This first edition of BrainStorm Battles is just the beginning: more exciting proposals will be coming soon!