Wu Tsai Neuro Seminar w/ Rosa Cossart – SRP Livestream Locations

Good morning SOM Stanford Research Park Community,

We invite you to join us for today’s Neurosciences Seminar. The seminar will be held in-person on the main Stanford campus with 3 satellite viewing locations in Stanford Research Park.

🗓️ Nov 13, 2025

Rewinding brain development to dissect cortical circuits
Rosa Cossart, PhD

INSERM, Aix-Marseille University | Host: Anne Goettemoeller

Development shapes adult cortical circuits in many ways, from the constraint of genetic programs to establishing the interaction between self-referenced representations and environmental signals in support of adaptive behavior. The adaptation of cortical circuits to the external world results from the modifications of self-organized circuits constrained by genetic programs, in response to activity-dependent adjustments that occur at critical turning points throughout the developmental trajectories of individual animals.

Central to this process is the cortical circuit ability to differentiate between internally-generated and externally-driven inputs, a function mediated by distinct circuits. We posit that these dedicated circuits emerge through a developmental process in which the brain learns to segregate self and non-self-signals via its interactions with the body and the environment. Disruptions to this developmental trajectory, we argue, may underlie disorders like autism and schizophrenia, characterized by distorted world models. This presentation aims to unravel the emergence of functional cortical circuits over the course of development. Through a synthesis of published and unpublished data, we highlight the dual influence of early developmental programming and ongoing interaction with environmental signals.

⏰ Time: 12:00-1:00 PM (PT)
Come 15 minutes early (11:45 AM) to enjoy coffee, cookies, and conversation with the speaker and your colleagues (main campus location only)

📍 Locations:

• Main Campus (in person): Gunn Rotunda (E241), Stanford Neurosciences Building
• Stanford Research Park satellite locations:
  • 3172 Porter Drive, Room 253
  • 3174 Porter Drive, Room 140
  • 1070 Arastradero Road, Room 211

Learn about the SRP satellites »

Learn more and get involved:

• Nominate speakers for the 2026-2027 seminar series
• About the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Seminar Series »
• Sign up to dine or meet with the seminar speakers »
• See all upcoming and past seminars »
• Sign up for Wu Tsai Neuro’s mailing list »
• Join the #neuroscience slack channel »

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