Scientifica are delighted once again to be sponsoring the BNA 2025 International Festival of Neuroscience in Liverpool.

BNA2025 is a novel, multi-organisation forum brings together all those with an interest in brain research at a single shared event. From fundamental neuroscience in both academic and commercial sectors, to clinical expertise and patient perspectives in neurology, psychology and psychiatry.

Scientifica is a gold partner of BNA2025 and will be exhibiting with a range of electrophysiology equipment (booth G3), including our SliceScope Pro and PatchScope Pro Systems.

Come and say hello to our expert team of product specialists who will be happy to discuss your research and your electrophysiology needs.

We will also be hosting a Silent Symposium - see below for more details.

Details

Date: 27th - 30th April 2025

Location: ACC, Liverpool, UK

More details: BNA2025 | The British Neuroscience Association

Symposium: Postdoc to PI: Making Your Lab Vision a Reality

Scientifica is delighted to be hosting the silent symposium 'Postdoc to PI: Making Your Lab Vision a Reality' with guest panelist Dr Sam Booker from the University of Edinburgh.

Tuesday 29th April, 11.20 – 11.45am

This symposium provides aspiring PIs with the tools, insights, and strategies needed to establish and lead a successful research lab. Join Dr Sam Booker (University of Edinburgh) and Dr Adam Jackson (Scientifica) as they share practical advice on securing funding, building a research team, and navigating the logistical challenges of setting up a lab—including acquiring essential equipment and resources. Whether you're planning your next career step or already preparing to launch your lab, this event will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to turn your vision into reality.

You can add this symposium to your schedule via the BNA platform.

About Sam Booker

Sam completed an undergraduate degree from the University of Edinburgh with an Honours Degree in Pharmacology in 2008. From there, he moved to Glasgow University to perform a PhD in the lab of Imre Vida, performing a variety of whole-cell patch clamp recording techniques from hippocampal interneurons. He moved with the lab to Berlin in 2011 to take up a 3 year post-doctoral position at the Charite Universitaetmedizin – still in the lab of Imre Vida. They further studied the role of hippocampal and cortical interneurons in local microcircuit formation, using a combination of whole-cell, calcium imaging, and GABA uncaging.

From 2014 – 2021 Sam was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Edinburgh in the labs of Peter Kind and David Wyllie, with a primary focus on understanding synaptic mechanisms in the early brain that contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. For this, we established multi-photon imaging and uncaging combined with whole-cell and field recording. In 2021 Sam was awarded a SIDB ESAT Fellowship to form his own research group. Their new(ish) lab studies the fundamental mechanisms leading to plasticity of neurons in the developing brain, and how these are influenced by inhibitory signalling. For this they employ a combination of electrophysiology and neuroanatomy in cell and slice cultures, and acute brain slices from rodents and humans.

#SciSunnies - Win a £100 Amazon Voucher

How to Enter

Win £100 Amazon Voucher!

We're giving away a £100 Amazon voucher to the two most fun, creative, or eye-catching photos.
This is your chance to win for simply wearing some shades—don’t miss out!

How to enter

1. Grab a pair of Scientifica Sunnies from our stand and show us your conference moments in style!

2. Snap a photo wearing them in any of the following spots (or get creative!):

At our booth
In front of your favourite poster
With friends or colleagues
While exploring Liverpool

3. Post your photo(s) on X, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or email them to [email protected].
4. Make sure to tag us and use #SciSunnies and #BNA2025 to enter.

*Winners will be chosen by our Scientifica judging panel. Entries are open from 27th April to 2nd May 2025. By submitting a photo, you agree to allow us to share it across our marketing channels as part of this campaign. Full T&Cs are available here.

Book a demo

Our team of product specialists will be happy to chat to you about your research and demonstrate our electrophysiology rigs. If you would like to book a demo or meeting please drop us a line on [email protected].