Panel:
H&F (Health and Food)
Title:
European Brain ReseArch INfrastructureS-Italy
Services:
IR0000011
Type:
(ii) - Starting up
Proponent:
CNR
Total budget:
22.370.240,00€
South Italy:
9.318.425,00€ (41,66%)
The project EBRAINS-Italy is funded by the Nextgeneration EU and PNRR
It aims at enabling clinical and experimental activities in the Health sector to adequately exploit the most advanced modeling, computational and analytical technologies available in the neuroscience field. The main objective is to bring together in a research infrastructure several groups of the highest scientific, technical, and organizational abilities in the field of experimental/theoretical neuroscience operating in Italy, integrating the activities in order to guarantee synergies and generate a substantial increase of scientific, industrial, and societal outcomes on the whole national territory. The results obtained by the project, in terms of knowhow, multidisciplinary resources such as new and unique experimental data, instrumentation and software specific for neuroscience, advanced computational models, specialized training, and HPC resources, most of which will be available from a single access point, will strengthen the competitiveness of enterprises, and the development of new international collaborations and innovative methods for research and development.
Work package 01
Infrastructure Coordination and Integration Management
WP1 focuses on the administration, management, coordination, and monitoring of the project’s activities, including dissemination, open access, and IP-related tasks. It ensures the timely and smooth operation of the EBRAINS-Italy infrastructure through a Coordination Committee and a Technical/Scientific Committee. Key activities include integration of results into CeNCo and EBRAINS-EU, regular technical meetings, website development, and support for constant communication with EBRAINS.
WP1 LEADER
Michele Migliore
He is a physicist with a D.Phil. from the University of Palermo, Italy, who has held various research and teaching positions in biophysics, neuroscience, and cybernetics. His work focuses on modeling neural processes to understand brain functions and dysfunctions using advanced computational methods.
Work package 02
Experimental data production facilities
WP2 involves experimental activities to develop new technologies, industrial applications, and generate knowledge about the brain. It focuses on multi-scale brain characterization, employing imaging and functional analyses using both animal models and human brain samples. Activities include optogenetics, fluorescence microscopy, intracranial and extracranial EEG, and advanced imaging techniques like 7T MRI. A key goal is to format and upload data to the EBRAINS-EU Knowledge Graph, ensuring accessibility. WP2 will also facilitate patient dataset acquisition for neurodegenerative disease studies and provide advanced equipment and personnel to support high-resolution data analysis.
WP2 LEADER
Francesco S Pavone
He is a physicist specializing in biophysics, microscopy, and spectroscopy techniques, focusing on single-molecule and cellular imaging techniques for biological and biomedical applications. He is a professor at the University of Florence and leads the biophysics lab at LENS.
Work package 03
Analysis, Modeling, and Simulation
WP3 will focus on analysis and modeling tasks, leveraging experimental data from WP1 and aligning with WP5 training. It plays a critical role in developing EBRAINS-Italy's innovative technologies for drug discovery, brain disease treatment, digital twins, and personalized medicine. Key activities include formatting and uploading models on the EBRAINS-EU platform, ensuring interoperability with other digital resources and databases. Deliverables include automated workflows for data-driven brain models, detailed neuron and circuit simulations, virtual brain reconstructions, motor control models, and neuromorphic computation systems. This will establish the infrastructure for EBRAINS-Italy, fostering advancements in medicine, engineering, and AI.
WP3 LEADER
Egidio D'Angelo
He is a Full Professor of Physiology at the University of Pavia, specializing in neurophysiology with a focus on synaptic plasticity and brain networks. He is also Director of the Brain Connectivity Center and holds several prestigious positions in academic and editorial roles in neuroscience.
Work package 04
Data storage and HPC services
WP4 of EBRAINS-Italy IR will provide data storage and HPC/Cloud services to the EBRAINS Infrastructure Community and Italian neuroscience communities, managing and monitoring these resources. It includes three sub-activities: the Resource Management Office, which allocates resources through public calls and monitors project progress; the Operation and Coordination of Services, aligning services with FENIX-RI and EBRAINS EU; and the User Support Services, which offers technical support and optimization. The goal is to create a federated infrastructure, supporting GDPR-compliant human data storage and fostering collaboration in neuroscience research.
WP4 LEADER
Michele Migliore
He is a physicist with a D.Phil. from the University of Palermo, Italy, who has held various research and teaching positions in biophysics, neuroscience, and cybernetics. His work focuses on modeling neural processes to understand brain functions and dysfunctions using advanced computational methods.
Work package 05
Training and Innovation
WP5 will establish and manage the "EBRAINS-Italy Training and Innovation Centre" (ETIC) in Rome, offering training in computational neuroscience and neurorobotics. ETIC will target academics, industry professionals, and public sector representatives through on-site and remote courses. The Centre will develop a "EBRAINS-Italy TrainS" system for training, using open-source LMS software. Additionally, ETIC will foster research-industry collaboration by supporting innovation and developing new marketable products. The Centre will house state-of-the-art labs and facilities, and build a network of experts to support lifelong learning, research transfer, and innovation.
WP5 LEADER
Gianluca Baldassarre
He is a senior researcher specializing in computational neuroscience and developmental robotics, focusing on learning, motivation, and sensorimotor coordination. He leads the LOCEN lab and contributes to European projects on autonomous robots and brain-behavior models.
Who We Are
The Research Infrastructure for Neuroscience
