Last week UCT hosted two lectures on the impact of stress on the human brain, part of a series of lectures aimed at promoting research co-operation between Germany and South Africa. The lectures were delivered by Professor Christiane Richter-Landsberg of the Carl-von- Ossietzky-University in Oldenburg, Germany, and UCT's Professor Vivienne Russell.

Richter-Landsberg described the contribution of cellular stress to neurodegenerative diseases.

Russell spoke on the effects of stress and exercise on neuron survival for Parkinson's disease.

The lecture series was presented by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.