September 25th, 2026  The Brain Prize Lecture

Heidelberg University organised the Brain Prize Lecture 2026 at the India International Centre in New Delhi, bringing together around 300 participants, including scientists, clinicians, academicians, researchers, PhD scholars and students. The lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. med. Frank Winkler, World Brain Prize 2025 Laureate—the recipient of the world’s largest prize in neuroscience and neuromedicine—who presented his research on Cancer Neuroscience and the relationship between the nervous system and cancer. The programme was held in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Research Foundation (DFG), which also co-supported the lecture.

The programme opened with a welcome address by H.E. Dr. Jasper Wieck, German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, who emphasised the strategic importance of Indo-German relations in advancing cooperation in science, research and technology transfer, and highlighted the role of German institutions in strengthening these connections. This was followed by remarks from Prof. Dr. Marc-Philippe Weller, Vice-Rector of Heidelberg University, who reflected on Heidelberg’s international academic network, its strength in medicine and research, and the University’s globally connected research ecosystem. Prof. Dr. Chitra Sarkar, Distinguished Professor, Indian National Science Academy, AIIMS Delhi, introduced the speaker and his research.

In his lecture, “Cancer Neuroscience: A New Approach to Cancer,” Prof. Winkler presented his research on glioblastoma and its interaction with the nervous system. He described how tumour cells in the brain can form interconnected networks and communicate with one another, allowing them to coordinate their activity. He also presented findings on communication between nerve cells and tumour cells, showing how signals from the nervous system can influence tumour behaviour. These findings have contributed to a more detailed understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in glioblastoma progression, including tumour growth and spread.

Prof. Winkler further discussed the implications of these findings for the treatment of glioblastoma. He presented research showing that communication between nerve cells and tumour cells can be disrupted using a drug already used in the treatment of epilepsy. The lecture outlined how this finding has progressed from the study of neural signalling in tumours towards investigating its potential therapeutic application in patients with glioblastoma.

The Brain Prize Lecture provided an opportunity for the scientific and academic community in New Delhi to engage with a rapidly developing area of biomedical research and with Prof. Winkler’s work at its forefront. The lecture also reflected Heidelberg University’s role in facilitating international scientific exchange and bringing current developments in research to academic audiences in India.