Future Makers Award: Smart & Social City

Gaining a better understanding of neurodiversity

It is estimated that 15 to 30 per cent of the population is neurodivergent. In order to improve our understanding of autism and other forms of neurodivergence, scientists are investigating how brain cells communicate with one another. One way they do this is by examining mouse brains. Dendrites and spines, which are small branches and projections of nerve cells, play an important role in brain research.

Erasmus MC uses microscope images of mouse brains for this research. Mice are commonly used in neuroscientific research to study the processes involved in brain development and function. The animal experiments were carried out at Erasmus MC in accordance with applicable ethical guidelines and legal frameworks.

This is where our students come in. They helped researchers to make the dendrites and spines in these images more visible and measurable. They achieved this by combining microscopy with 3D models, virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI).

Moving on from the lab to virtual reality

What makes this project special is that two teaching projects came together to form a single research theme. One group of students scanned and analysed brain images. A second group converted these images into 3D models and used virtual reality to label brain structures. This data will form the basis of AI applications that could help researchers carry out measurements more quickly and reliably in the future.

Student Joris reflects on the project with pride, ‘We started with a subject we knew next to nothing about. The software and technology were completely new to us. It’s brilliant to realise how much we’ve learnt, and that our work has contributed to Erasmus MC’s research.’

Fellow student Shazia is also enthusiastic about the project, ‘The knowledge and experience we’ve gained through this project will be invaluable as we make the transition from our study programme to a graduation placement and potentially a future job. By collaborating with the HR Data lab EAS and Erasmus MC, we gained a real sense of what it’s like in practice.’

Research with a social impact

For many students, the research felt personal. Almost everyone knows someone with autism, ADHD, or another form of neurodiversity.

‘That's why this didn't feel like a normal school assignment,’ says Thomas, another student on the team. ‘You know that the knowledge you’re working on could ultimately lead to a better understanding of, and more effective support for, people in your own community.’

Education, research and practice come together

Collaborating with Erasmus MC in the HR Data lab EAS gave the students a unique insight into their future field of work. They worked with real research data, received feedback from researchers, and observed their recommendations being implemented. The collaboration was also valuable for Erasmus MC. Thomas Jacobs, a research analyst in the neuroscience department, said, ‘This project helps us to process large amounts of data and thus publish our research more quickly.’

Lecturer supervisors Joep van Esch and Vincent de Beer regard this as the project's greatest benefit. ‘Students combined their biomedical knowledge with new technologies such as AI, virtual reality and data analysis. In doing so, they are developing precisely the skills needed for future research.’

What did the jury think?

For the jury, the extent of the students' involvement was the decisive factor. BML students worked with real research data, making a genuine contribution to ongoing neuroscience research at Erasmus MC. The jury described this collaboration as exceptional, as students on a higher education programme were able to make a concrete contribution to scientific research at an academic level while still studying.

The combination of biomedical knowledge with advanced technology, such as virtual reality and AI, as well as the societal relevance of the research, were also key factors. Consequently, the jury considered 'Mouse Brain Analysis: Small Brain, Big Impact!' to be a worthy winner in the 'Smart & Social City' category.