About us

A Brazilian network for neurobiodiversity

The Brazilian Neurobiodiversity Network began in 2018, from Kamilla Souza’s doctoral research and the work of her supervisors at UFRJ and UERJ. Since then, we have connected research institutions around the comparative study of the nervous system.

Research focus

Studying brain diversity

We study the nervous system of different species, with a focus on aquatic mammals, to understand their neuroanatomical diversity and investigate the relationships between brain organisation, evolution and environmental adaptations.

In the laboratory

Daily work combines specimen preparation, imaging and morphological analysis. Each specimen is a rare opportunity to better understand the diversity of brains.

In the scanner

We acquire magnetic resonance images of the brains and are using them to build an image catalogue of the collection. We use the 7 Tesla scanner at InRad (HCFMUSP), the only 7 T scanner for humans in Latin America, and, for smaller brains, such as those of the small franciscana dolphin, the 7 T small-animal scanner at CENABIO (UFRJ).

About us

Research, collaboration and conservation

Our research happens in partnership with institutions that care for stranded animals, conservation projects and science outreach groups.

  • Workshop with CMA/ICMBio

    Workshop with CMA/ICMBio

    A workshop with CMA/ICMBio brings professionals together around the study and conservation of aquatic mammals.

  • Science outreach at UFRJ

    Science outreach at UFRJ

    Outreach activities at UFRJ, in partnership with metaBIO, bring the public closer to the research.

  • Field collaboration

    Field collaboration

    Fieldwork in partnership with Projeto Baleia Jubarte connects research and conservation.

  • Comparative Brain Meeting

    Comparative Brain Meeting

    A presentation at the Comparative Brain Meeting, at Institut Pasteur, connects the network to the international debate.

People

Our team

A multidisciplinary team connecting research, imaging and marine mammal biology.

Board

Advisors

Students

Our collaboration network

A network built through partnerships

RBNB brings together research, conservation and wildlife care institutions throughout Brazil and through international collaboration. These partnerships enable the collection, preservation and study of neuroanatomical material, contributing to comparative neuroscience and the conservation of marine biodiversity.

Host institution

  • UFRJ
  • Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas · UFRJ
  • Instituto de Física · UFRJ

Partner institutions (Brazil)

  • Instituto Baleia Jubarte
  • Aquasis
  • Instituto Biopesca
  • CMA · ICMBio
  • BioMA
  • Instituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável Mamirauá
  • Instituto Boto Cinza
  • INPA
  • MAQUA · UERJ
  • SEA — Rede de Pesquisa e Conservação de Sirênios no Estuário Amazônico
  • Instituto ORCA
  • Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos — Região dos Lagos
  • EcoDelfis
  • EcoShark · UFRJ
  • InRad · HCFMUSP
  • CENABIO

International collaborations

  • University of Oxford · Oxford University Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging
  • HMU · Health and Medical University
  • Hokkaido University

The reach of our network

  • 18institutions: 15 national and 3 international
  • 8Brazilian states
  • 20aquatic mammal species
  • 80brains in the collection
  • The largestcollection of dolphin brains in Latin America