Neurologists from Flinders University will maximise their expertise in human brain banking under a new research venture with two of China’s top medical universities.

As part of the two-way alliance, Flinders researchers will share their knowledge in human brain research with Central South University (CSU) and Peking Medical College and – in return – Flinders will have access to cutting-edge scientific technologies.

Flinders University Research Fellow Dr Wei-Ping Gai (pictured), who helped initiate the collaboration, said Flinders was particularly keen to work with China to achieve medical breakthroughs in the area of neurodegenerative disease.

“This partnership will enable the Flinders Centre for Neuroscience to enhance its existing relationships with CSU and Peking, which are among the best medical science universities in China,” Dr Gai, who is based in the Human Physiology Department, said.

“By contributing our expertise in human brain research and brain banking we will have more opportunities for funding and access to state-of-the-art medical resources,” he said.

“The other advantage is that we will be conducting research on more brains, and when you’re looking at the cause of brain diseases you need large numbers.”

Flinders University Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Research), Professor David Day, said the collaboration would further cement Flinders capabilities in neuroscience.

“The Flinders Centre for Neuroscience employs a range of world-class research strategies to provide the foundation for advances in neurology, neuropathology and various other fields of neuroscience,” Professor Day said.

“As a research-driven University, Flinders is keen and committed to work with institutions both locally and abroad to enhance our understanding of the world so it’s very encouraging to see a cross-sharing of knowledge between Flinders neurologists and their counterparts in China,” he said.

“In doing so, Flinders will significantly enhance its research capacity because we will be gaining access to facilities and resources that are not readily available in Australia.”