Project description
A 'wiring diagram' of the human brain, with unprecedented resolution
Much as a computer consists of hundreds of transistors, capacitors and other devices that are connected in specific ways to enable high-level functions, the human brain is a network of many different types of interconnected cells. However, there is no 'wiring diagram' to help neurosurgeons restore function or avoid damage, or to support the development of truly biomimetic neural networks. The ambitious EU-funded TYPEWIRE project plans to measure individual synaptic connections over a scale of tens of thousands of data points, and to combine this with single-cell transcriptomics and connectomics (the structural and functional connections with other cells). The result will resemble a wiring diagram for the human brain, including the wiring rules for connectivity.
Objective
The brain performs sophisticated functions and complex behaviours, orchestrated by highly specialized cells. Neurons are at the core of the nervous system’s computational capabilities. In recent years, we and others have advanced single-cell RNAseq to reveal their extraordinary molecular diversity in transcriptome-based cell-type taxonomies. It is the unique combinations of circuits that these different neuronal types form – within a practically unlimited space of possible implementations – that encode the large functional repertoire of the nervous system. Although critical, little is known about the basic organizational principles of cells within the circuits – the ‘wiring rules’. This highlights the conceptual challenge to measure connectivity on a systematic and synaptic, single-cell level. What is the topology of networks? What is the relation between network topology and function? How do cell types and gene expression determine wiring? Answering these questions will help resolve nervous system computation at the level of its cellular building blocks. The vision of this proposal is to provide and apply a novel approach that will allow us to investigate neuronal connectivity at large-scale. Two key requirements for such measurements are the ability to measure true synaptic connections, and obtain tens of thousands of datapoints. Further, the concept of cell types is crucial for addressing the connectivity problem, as it allows us to distinguish the network elements and thus assemble a global picture even from fragmented, partial measurements. For this purpose, we will combine transcriptomics and connectomics measurements at the single cell level.
The proposed project has enormous potential to systematically (re)address basic functional questions in neuroscience. It can expand our understanding of neural circuits to an unprecedented resolution, with conceivable impact on computational research, such as in vivo inspired neural networks and artificial intelligence.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics topology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
32000 Haifa
Israel
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.