Stefano Mancuso

Plant neurobiologist
Stefano Mancuso is a founder of the study of plant neurobiology, which explores signaling and communication at all levels of biological organization, from genetics to molecules, cells and ecological communities.

Why you should listen

Does the Boston fern you're dutifully misting each morning appreciate your care? Or can the spreading oak in your local park take umbrage at the kids climbing its knotted branches? Not likely, says Italian researcher Stefano Mancuso, but that doesn't mean that these same living organisms aren't capable of incredibly sophisticated and dynamic forms of awareness and communication.


What others say

"To christen the lab in 2004, Mancuso decided to use the controversial term 'plant neurobiology' to reinforce the idea that plants have biochemistry, cell biology and electrophysiology similar to the human nervous system." — Nicole Martinelli,

Stefano Mancuso’s TED talks

Quotes from Stefano Mancuso