Objective
This shared-cost RTD project aims to elucidate some of the basic properties of parallel processing of information in the brain, one of the main scientific objectives of Area 4, Cell Communication in Neuroscience and in particular of Research Task 4.4 (Management of Information by the Nervous System) and 4.5 (Cell to Cell Communication in the Nervous System) of the Biotechnology Workprogramme. In order to understand how the brain manages information and to elucidate the nature of cell-to-cell communication, it is necessary to address the following problems: What are the critical features in parallel trains of neural spikes? What are the characteristics of the dynamics of a population of interacting neurons? How is it possible to control or influence the dynamics? In order to answer these questions this project will develop and improve new techniques for the experimental characterization of parallel processing in the nervous system. This project will therefore concentrate on providing direct and detailed recordings of multi-site electrical activity in large populations of neurons. Technology for two major types of techniques will be advanced and applied: optical measurement of intrinsic signals and of signals from voltage- sensitive dyes; and lithographically-patterned arrays of electrical sensors (transparent planar electrode arrays and 3-dimensional "bed-of-nails" arrays). This topic is also relevant to another objective of the Biotechnology Workprogramme, namely 6.2 Interface of Structural Biology with Electronics (Area 6, Structural Biology). The methodology and technology for the recording and stimulation of parallel neural activity will be advanced in a collaboration between academic and industrial partners.
The project will analyse the parallel processing of information in three classes of preparation: i - in neuronal culture systems; ii - in small nervous systems, such as that of the leech; iii - in brain tissues from the hippocampus, the thalamus and the cortex, and in the cortex of intact animals. The data on information processing and cell to cell communication obtained from these three different levels of complexity will be analysed to assess the essential common features of parallel coding and network dynamics. Experimental and theoretical methods appropriate for the analysis of parallel processing in neuronal networks will be formulated, working directly from multi-site electrical and optical recordings, and will encompass simulation techniques appropriate for modelling the dynamics of the experimental systems. The development of these new approaches for recording the parallel activity of the brain will open up several avenues of possible commercial exploitation, as well as opportunities for improving medical technology. Finally, the results provided by this project will also serve as a basis for experimental models and assay systems, for disease states and drugs which modulate the operation of neuronal networks in subtle ways. The project is expected to provide several scientific breakthroughs in the understanding of parallel processing of the brain, and to yield results which are competitive with those originating in the USA and Japan.
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
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science data processing
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology structural biology
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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.
Topic(s)
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.
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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
Coordinator
CB2 3EG Cambridge
United Kingdom
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.