Prada Gets Brainy
Neurodegeneration has such a massive and growing global impact that Prada took the initiative to bring much needed attention to it. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS and MS are major neurodegenerative diseases that have no cure and are quickly impacting more people on a global scale. Human Brains by the Prada Foundation, or Fondazione Prada, began in 2018 to address these issues. President of the foundation Miuccia Prada aims to bridge art and science in an impactful way. Her recently showcased Prada Spring/Summer 2023 line with Raf Simons at Milan Fashion week, held at Fondazione Prada, may have expressed her feelings on research into brain diseases by pieces that resemble science lab wear and minimal futurism.
Prada partnered with neuroscience institutions to host an exhibition on neurodegenerative diseases. “Human Brains: Preserving the Brain– Forum on Neurodegenerative Diseases” is part of an ongoing effort that will culminate in a discussion about more strategic, advanced and collaborative solutions. The Milan installation and accompanying talks are available to view in person and virtually until October 10, 2022. From patients to pharma and biotech, they plan to promote discussion on solving incurable conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The show will provide visuals and documents of the science underlying the genetics and molecular targets, for example, of disease and treatment.
Scientific Board President Giancarlo Comi stresses using advanced technological developments to find cures. The exhibit is akin to a scaled back scientific conference poster session. Each panel highlights a major point in the science of neurodegeneration. The purpose is to provoke and support conversations between interdisciplinary groups in hopes to move these conversations to the lab bench to realize cures.
The exhibit can be visited in Milan. Alternatively, the conference sessions will be live streamed Oct 6-7 and the workshops are available online. The talks cover topics like epigenetics and microbiome by Sergio Baranzini at UCSF and brain metabolism by Jens Bruning of Max Plank (Munich). They also host IG Live discussions.
*Images from Fondazione Prada and Prada.
