Mapping the ‘ universe of the brain ’
SA scientist driven by son s autism to shed new light on mental disorders
ASOUTH African neuroscientist who has an autistic son is building the world’s first digital human brain, which could shed light on the disorder.
Professor Henry Markram’s Human Brain Project has been awarded a R12billion grant by the European Union. It is hoped that the project will give new insights into mental conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism.
And while scientific journals and newspapers are toasting Markram’s achievements, family and friends in South Africa described him as softspoken and gentle — but with a “naughty ” streak.
The scientist likened the Human Brain Project to a “telescope ” that will give insights into the “universe of the brain”.
“What we are developing is a new foundation, a new instrument — a telescope — that will allow one to look deep into the brain, offering a more systematical approach to any disease. Naturally I will try out the instrument to explore autism as well and believe that it will help us find new ways to treat autism,” he told the Sunday Times.
“Understanding the human brain is the most important adventure that humanity can go on. It is the universe within. We need to understand this universe so that we can get control over ourselves to change the world for the better. ”
Markram’s project is taking shape in a supercomputer at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland.
In 2002, Markram moved to Switzerland where he lives with his wife, fellow researcher Kamila, and their two children. He has three children from a previous marriage. His son Kai is autistic.
He matriculated at Kearsney College in KwaZulu-Natal in 1979, and school friends recalled his naughtiness and messy desk.
He went on to study physiology at the University of Cape Town, where neuroscience first “excited ” him, before he earned his PhD at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel.
Markram grew up on the farm Witberg, near Kuruman, which today forms part of Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa’s largest private game reserve, which is owned by the Oppenheimer family.
Markram said his ancestors were buried there. “There is a graveyard in the Kalahari that has all the generations of Markrams lying at rest. My grandfather and grandmother are also buried there. I dream of one day buying back our farm,” he said.
He is the cousin of Springbok rugby player Robert Markram, who died aged 25 in a car accident in 2001.
Another cousin, Elmine Nel, who manages the Babylonstoren Hotel in Franschhoek, said: “Ag, Henry is such a gentle person — soft-spoken and such a special man. When we were young all the little girls were in love with him.”
Nel recalled their visit together in the Maldives in 2009. “I was running a hotel on a small island at the time. Henry
‘ We are developing a telescope that will allow one to look deep into the brain, offering a more systematical approach to any disease ’
came to visit with Kamila and his autistic son. A friend of theirs joined us. At dinner, the conversation was all about this brain reaction and that brain reaction. I must have been the dumbest person at the table! ”
Markram was one of five siblings born to Henry, who has died, and Gerelda, who now lives in Durban.
Robert Carpenter, the head of marketing at Kearsney College, said that in addition to being a leader and an exceptional academic, Markram got colours for athletics and captained the athletics and cross-country teams.
School friend Guy Mungle said: “I remember Henry as always being very focused. He spent hours absorbed in his studies, often late into the night. His desk was always in a mess, papers everywhere. Not many people knew, but he had a naughty streak and enjoyed challenging some boundaries.”