FACETS-ITN

Fast Analog Computing with Emergent Transient States - Initial Training Network (FACETS-ITN)

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'FACETS-ITN is a research and training network involving partners from 11 universities and research centres, 3 industrial companies and 1 semi-industrial research centre from 6 European countries. It combines competencies in neurobiology, computational neuroscience, information science, physics and electrical engineering. The scientific goal is to experimentally and theoretically explore the structure and the computational principles of biological neural circuits using in-vitro and in-vivo neurobiological experiments as well as analytical approaches, model building and simulation techniques. The concepts of learning and plasticity will be of particular importance. Based on the input from biology and modelling it is expected to prepare the grounds for novel hardware based computing devices that make use of such principles. Such devices will be built and operated in the form of large scale demonstrators as part of the research plan. Within the training network 21 selected Ph.D. students will be integrated into an existing international research environment and receive a strongly interdisciplinary training. The training comprises an intense exchange and visiting programme, specific training workshops for all scientific areas covered as well as in non-scientific key competencies.. This training concept will enhance their original academic education in order to cope with the challenges of this diverse international research environment. The proposed training programme will be closely coupled to existing research projects as well as graduate programmes of participating universities. It will create a sustained infrastructure based on web-based learning as well as on scientific interdisciplinary networks and the intersectional exchange with industry. The community building among Ph.D. students from different disciplines will include students from other projects, in particular the current FACETS integrated project and its planned successor.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

One of the major challenges facing today's science community is understanding the human brain. An EU initiative set up an interdisciplinary network to explore the brain and how it relates to information technology.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Further research into brain science can provide better insight into the computing principles of the brain. This will lead to the development of new therapies for brain disease and the design of new and emerging information and communication technologies.

With EU funding, the 'Fast analog computing with emergent transient states - Initial Training Network (FACETS-ITN)' (http://www.facets-project.org (FACETS-ITN)) project set up a research and training network consisting of PhD students and young postdoctoral researchers from various science disciplines to study the emerging domain of neural computation.

The challenge was to form links between neuroscience and information science by building on the outcomes of the predecessor FACETS and BRAINSCALES projects.

Project deliverables include research funding opportunities of up to three years to 22 beneficiaries at 14 partner institutions such as research universities and centres in six EU Member States. It involved research and training in selected research areas, in addition to secondments at partner laboratories. Doctoral degrees were awarded by partner universities.

The FACETS-ITN network was strengthened further by workshops that covered several scientific and complementary skills themes, as well as student conferences that featured leading experts in brain science. The network published its key scientific findings in various international journals and also presented them at conferences.

FACETS-ITN improved the understanding of information processing in the brain. In doing so, it feeds into the Human Brain Project. This EU flagship initiative consists of over 80 global partners who will simulate the human brain and then use this knowledge to develop and operate novel computers and robotics.