Academic Lecture by Renowned Neuroscientist Professor Frank Kirchhoff: In-depth Discussion on Glial Cells and Brain Functions

 At 2 p.m. on December 16, 2025, an academic lecture hosted by Professor Jian Cheng and Ma Quan-Hong Ma was successfully held in the conference room of the Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University. The lecture was delivered by Professor Frank Kirchhoff, Member of the European Academy of Sciences, Professor at Saarland University (Germany) and Honorary Professor of Soochow University. Titled "The impact of glial cells for brain function", the event drew a large number of faculty members, students and researchers.

In the opening remarks, Professor Jian Cheng noted that as an Honorary Professor of Soochow University, Professor Frank Kirchhoff has long supported the disciplinary development and talent cultivation of neuroscience at our university. This lecture provided a valuable platform for academic exchanges among researchers in related fields, and will actively promote the interdisciplinary advancement of brain science and glial cell research.

During the lecture, Professor Kirchhoff systematically elaborated on the diverse functions of glial cells in the central nervous system, as well as their critical roles in neural circuits, metabolic support and the pathogenesis of brain disorders. Combining his team’s latest research findings, he further dissected the dynamic interaction mechanisms between glial cells and neurons, and prospected future research directions and translational potential in this field.

The lecture was well-received with a lively atmosphere. Participants actively raised questions regarding the presentation, to which Professor Kirchhoff gave detailed answers one by one. This event not only broadened participants’ understanding of glial cell functions, but also strengthened academic exchanges and cooperation in neuroscience between China and overseas institutions.