by Henna Nandwani

The Aplisa
An aplisa is like
a squishy snail.
In rain, in snow, in sleet,
in hail.
When it is angry, it shoots
out ink.
The ink is purple, it’s not
pink.
An aplisa cannot live on
land.
It doesn’t have feet so
it can’t stand.
It has a very funny
mouth.
And in winter it goes to the south.

A verse from Dr. Seuss? Think again. This passage is from neuroscientist and Nobel laureate Eric Kandel’s latest book, In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a New Science of Mind.  In this work, which is part memoir, part scientific journey, the Columbia University professor, who always sports a red bowtie, shares his studies on the neural basis of memory in two dimensions:  his own personal memories, and the trajectory of his research on memory. These perspectives are delightfully integrated throughout the book, converging especially when he explains how he “found an unexpected ally in [his] daughter, Minouche,” author of the above poem, upon his own obsession with the sea slug that became the model organism for his research. Weaving together well-placed anecdotes and scientific processes, this informative and thought-provoking book offers colorful insights into Kandel’s research, in addition to advice and opinions that are sure to motivate and inspire young scientists. Historic parallels and unique diversions make this an enjoyable experience for any reader.

Kandel won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000 for his research on the physiological basis of memory storage in brain cells (neurons), showing that learning alters behavior by improving connections among these cells. Kandel has devoted his life to studying memory, “a form of mental time travel,” as he calls it. In this book, he details five decades of advancements in the field of cognitive science, alongside his own memories, which range from his remarkable journey as a child in Austria to his life as a scientist in New York. These insights provide a revealing glimpse into the makings of a successful scientist, in addition to an overview of the major discoveries in the field of behavioral neuroscience.

Vivid childhood anecdotes first introduce us to a naturally inquisitive and whimsical character who survived the hardships of anti-Semitism in Austria. The “Never Forget” theme of post-Holocaust sentiment, he explains, resonates in his choice of specialty: investigating the brain processes that allow us to remember. The story of Kandel’s childhood, accompanied by photographs, is most compelling,  giving the reader a personal understanding of Kandel and providing context for his research and career decisions.

For young hopeful scientists, Kandel offers many examples of his own education and research. In one anecdote, he mentions his initial research goal of mapping the Freudian id, ego, and superego to real locations in the brain. When his principal investigator suggested that a more realistic goal would be to “look at the brain one cell at a time,” because neuroscience methods were not yet so advanced, Kandel was more than demoralized. However, he accepted this challenge, and in the book he delves deeply into delineating the precise science of the brain. One topic at a time, he alternately explains parts of the history of neuroscience and his own progress through experiments and findings.

Kandel also offers an encouraging view of the role of a scientist, arguably one of the most difficult professions, in the context of an especially exciting but competitive time in science. Watson and Crick publicized their famous discovery of the structure of DNA while Kandel was still in medical school, and Freud had already established links between the brain and behavior. Although these discoveries sometimes appear  effortless, given the tendency to discuss their elegance and simplicity, scientific research was then largely a painstaking endeavor, as it is today. Kandel describes the difficult and exciting aspects of scientific research equivocally. For example, when he recounts recording, with his colleague, the first intracellular signals (action potentials) from the region of the brain that stores first memories, Kandel writes, “We almost danced around the lab.” Signals such as action potentials provide ways for cells to communicate with one another. Kandel’s recording of signals from the region of the brain that stores memories was an important first step to understanding the process by which these cells communicate as we learn and store information. However, he also writes, “This experiment and the ones that followed were physically exhausting, sometimes lasting twenty-four hours. Many experiments were unsuccessful.” Wisdom also comes in the form of his description of his scientific and professional relationships. Such insights as “science is filled not simply with a passion for ideas but also with the ambition and strivings of people at different stages of their careers,” provide a unique perspective on the struggle and competition characteristic of academic research.

Kandel brings to his writing a level of honesty combined with whimsy to illustrate a wide range of concepts. No person or idea — or even animal! — is introduced without context. For example, before Kandel gives his own opinion on his chosen species (Aplysia), he describes the animal’s role in early Roman history: the Romans used its ink to dye the stripe on emperors’ togas. Only then does he weigh in personally: “It is a large, proud, attractive, and obviously highly intelligent beast – just the sort of animal one would select for studies of learning!” Jokes aside, Kandel goes on to admit, “What drew my attention to Aplysia was not its natural history or physical beauty … but that the brain of Aplysia has a small number of cells … which are uniquely identifiable under the microscope.”

While the beginning of the book is rife with anecdotes and vivid descriptions, later chapters are only peppered with such illustrations. There, the scientific discussion becomes denser and more specific. For seasoned readers interested in the technicalities of neurobiology, this may be well-placed. More introductory readers may have some difficulty with the material, even though it’s well explained and accompanied by a glossary of terms; still, the chapters are well worth reading for the anecdotal insights, in addition to the description of the general path and progression of a lifetime of research.

In more than one instance,  insight comes from the historical parallels Kandel provides. The primary means to propagate history is through memory, and the “Never Forget” motto permeates the book. In one touching account toward the end of the book, Kandel comes full circle to confront his early childhood in Vienna. While organizing a symposium about the role of Austria in the Final Solution, he describes receiving files from the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., that included “requests from my father for funds to pay first for my transportation and that of my brother to the United States and then to pay for the transportation of my parents.” Kandel has since felt that he “owes [his] existence” to the generosity of his parents and the Viennese officials who fulfilled this request. This surprising account underscores the significance of this book and this work: it provides perspective on the science of memory, via the real and profound memories of someone who has lived through one of the most trying times in history.

Kandel concludes the book with an analysis of how we can learn from memory. He traces his unlikely path into biology and recounts the advantages and opportunities that a career in science in the United States can now offer. In this description, no experience or training is extraneous; Kandel believes that every intellectual opportunity had a necessary place in his path to successful research.  Of primary importance in this path is a deep faith in risk-taking: “I also think it is important to be bold, to tackle difficult problems, especially those that appear initially to be messy and unstructured. One should not be afraid to try new things, such as moving from one field to another or working at the boundaries of different disciplines.”

If nothing else, Kandel’s newest book speaks to the many young scientists and engineers who are struggling to find a place in today’s complex academic disciplines. By providing clear advice, facts, and colorful memories, Kandel encourages us to power forth in the design of our own lives: “By following my instincts, my unconscious thought processes, and heeding what then seemed an impossibly distant call, I was led into a life I have enjoyed immensely,” Kandel says. He encourages us to do the same.

Henna Nandwani is a member of the class of 2014. She was born and raised in northern Virginia. She is studying engineering and is also passionate about writing and computer graphics.