Pico Caroni receives prestigious Théodore Ott Prize

Pico Caroni receives the prestigious Théodore Ott Prize for his life-time achievements in neurobiological research. He and his 12-strong team are investigating how experiences and learning are stored in the brain. He studies the mechanisms controlling the formation, the maintenance and the turnover of synaptic connections in the brain, namely in the hippocampus. His studies in recent years have shown how different experiences shape the structure of the brain and how these changes themselves influence experience and learning, in turn. He has been a leader in exploring the links between neuronal plasticity, learning, adaptation and memory. He also studies how these processes are impaired in disease.

Commenting on the award, Pico Caroni, member of the Steering committee of the NCCR Synapsy, said: “I am of course very honored by this award, particularly because it is one that takes into account a track record, instead of individual studies. I am forever grateful to current and past members of our research group for the creativity they contributed, and to the FMI for giving us the opportunity to explore the unknown in our own way. In recent years, we have been able to gain new insights into processes of learning and memory, particularly those involving the remodeling of defined neuronal microcircuits in the brain. But every discovery leads to new sets of questions, and the brain will fascinate and occupy us with new riddles for many more years to come. This, and the joy of discovering things together with others, is motivation for me to continue my research endeavors.”

The prize is awarded only every fifth year and is the most prestigious award for neurobiologists in Switzerland. The official award ceremony took place June 7, 2013, during the 2nd Congress of the Swiss Federation of Clinical Neuro-Societies (SFCNS) in Montreux.

Most influencial publication
The distinguished career of Pico Caroni is also honnored by the journal Neuron which celebrates its 25th anniversary in science publishing. A publication of Pico Caroni was named one of the most influential publications in the 25-year-long history of Neuron. In the first issue of Neuron in 1988, Pico Caroni together with Martin Schwab reported results on a novel protein eventually named Nogo-A. They showed how this component of myelin, the sheath that insulates neurons in the central nervous system, prevents long distance growth of neurites.