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The Helen Wills
Neuroscience Institute

Deepening our understanding of the brain and the rest of the nervous system through original research and neurotechnology innovation, and training the next generation of neuroscientists.

An image of dendritic spines on neurons in the mouse cortex, produced using new microscopy technology developed by HWNI member Eric Betzig.   

The Helen Wills
Neuroscience Institute

Deepening our understanding of the brain and the rest of the nervous system through original research and neurotechnology innovation, and training the next generation of neuroscientists.

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PhD Program
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A Multidisciplinary Approach to Neuroscience

The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (HWNI) is the nexus for campus-wide multidisciplinary neuroscience research at UC Berkeley. Our community includes over 70 faculty members in 12 academic departments. This unique cross-departmental structure brings together experts from a variety of fields to use the power of interdisciplinary research to achieve breakthroughs in the study of the brain and nervous system, and to drive the development of novel treatments and technologies. 

We support our faculty and their labs in their individual research aims, and foster opportunities for collaboration. We also sponsor major research initiatives, run five innovative neurotechnology and research centers, and train the next generation of neuroscientists through our Neuroscience PhD Program and the training of postdoctoral fellows who conduct research in HWNI faculty labs. We also have over 100 PhD Program alumni who work in a variety of careers across the globe.

Latest News

A decoder that uses brain scans to know what you mean — mostly

A decoder that uses brain scans to know what you mean — mostly

NPR features research from PhD alum Alexander Huth. Current student Amanda LeBel is a co-author.
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Marla Feller elected to National Academy of Sciences

Marla Feller elected to National Academy of Sciences

Congratulations to HWNI member Marla Feller!
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Deep sleep may mitigate Alzheimer’s memory loss, Berkeley research shows

Deep sleep may mitigate Alzheimer’s memory loss, Berkeley research shows

New paper from HWNI members Matthew Walker and William Jagust.
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Marla Feller named American Academy of Arts & Sciences fellow

Marla Feller named American Academy of Arts & Sciences fellow

Congratulations to HWNI member Marla Feller!
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Diana Bautista receives Graduate Assembly Faculty Mentor Award

Diana Bautista receives Graduate Assembly Faculty Mentor Award

The award recipients have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to mentoring UC Berkeley graduate students.
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Faculty focus on Jim Hurley

Faculty focus on Jim Hurley

Interview with HWNI member James Hurley.
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Yang Dan named winner of the 2023 Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience

Yang Dan named winner of the 2023 Scolnick Prize in Neuroscience

HWNI member Yang Dan wins Scolnick Prize for key discoveries about the neurobiology of sleep.
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How visual impairment can impact the ways people correct movement error

How visual impairment can impact the ways people correct movement error

A new study from the labs of HWNI members Emily Cooper and Richard Ivry.
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Recent Faculty Publications

27 May 2023
Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 May 17;13(10):1775. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13101775.ABSTRACTSerial Dependence is a ubiquitous visual phenomenon in which sequentially viewed images appear more similar than they actually are, thus facilitating an efficient and...
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24 May 2023
J Biol Rhythms. 2023 May 24:7487304231170068. doi: 10.1177/07487304231170068. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBeyond visual perception, light has non-image-forming effects mediated by melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). The present study...
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24 May 2023
J Biol Rhythms. 2023 May 24:7487304231170068. doi: 10.1177/07487304231170068. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBeyond visual perception, light has non-image-forming effects mediated by melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). The present study...
Read More
24 May 2023
J Biol Rhythms. 2023 May 24:7487304231170068. doi: 10.1177/07487304231170068. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBeyond visual perception, light has non-image-forming effects mediated by melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). The present study...
Read More
24 May 2023
J Biol Rhythms. 2023 May 24:7487304231170068. doi: 10.1177/07487304231170068. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBeyond visual perception, light has non-image-forming effects mediated by melanopsin-expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). The present study...
Read More
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