Human Brain ProjectDigital Neurosciences
19 November 2019
Human Brain Project Event: Scientists Introduce New Online Platform
The interconnection of brain research and powerful computer technologies is the focus of an event to be held on 25 November 2019 at Heidelberg University. Researchers from the European Brain Project (HBP), including physicists from the Kirchhoff Institute of Ruperto Carola, will introduce the new online platform EBRAINS. It provides access to powerful resources in areas such as neuroinformatics and neuromorphic computing. The public event marks the start of “Brain Days”, a programme featuring a number of scientific workshops. Space is limited to 100 participants, but the event will also be accessible via live stream.
EBRAINS provides tools that help researchers collect, analyse, distribute, and integrate brain data as well as model and simulate brain functions. In addition to detailed brain atlas and neurorobotic systems, EBRAINS also offers interfaces to neuromorphic computing, which Heidelberg University is instrumental in promoting. Neuromorphic computing is key to simulating learning and development processes in the brain, which in turn form the foundation for developing cognitive computers for machine learning applications. With the Heidelberg BrainScaleS computer system, which is part of the Neuromorphic Computing Platform in the Human Brain Project, researchers can run accelerated experiments with artificial networks of spiking neurons over the internet.
Launched in 2013, the Human Brain Project is one of two “FET Flagship” initiatives of future and emerging technologies funded by the European Commission. More than 500 scientists at 130 European research institutes are taking part. The aim of the large-scale project is to facilitate an integrated understanding of brain structures and functions using novel information and communications technologies and to use the findings from brain research to develop new neuromorphic computer architectures.
Heidelberg University Rector Prof. Dr Bernhard Eitel will deliver the opening remarks of the event, entitled “EBRAINS – New enabling infrastructure for neuroscience”. Afterwards, scientists from the Human Brain Project will provide an overview of the progress being made in the digital neurosciences and the possibilities that EBRAINS is opening up to research. The event will take place from 1 to 5pm at the Marsilius Kolleg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.1. To attend, please register using the HBP homepage.