CREST-RIKEN Workshop: Real-Time Computing and Neural Dynamics in the Brain
RIKEN BSI's laboratories from Creating the Brain joined those from RIKEN and CREST to hold a joint workshop on real-time computer and neural dynamics at the beginning of March 2005.
Leading experimental and theoretical researchers from around the world presented work on computational modeling of real-time brain functions based on observed neural dynamics. The workshop also included lectures by seven young researchers and ten poster presentations. Opening remarks were provided by Shun-ichi Amari, the director of RIKEN BSI, and Masao Ito, RIKEN BSI's Special Advisor, closed the session with the question: "How does the brain work?"
A diverse and international group of researchers presented and discussed topics on behavior and mathematical models of corresponding neural activity in the hippocampus and basal ganglia. Among honored attendants were Anthony Grace from the University of Pittsburgh and Eugene Izhikevich of The Neurosciences Institute in San Diego. They were joined by contributions from upcoming researcher Joshua D. Berke of the University of Michigan.
Despite heavy snowfall on the final day, hundreds of participants crowded Okouchi Hall until the final moment of the workshop, actively contributing to the discussions. The program and other workshop details may be accessed on-line: http://www.dei.brain.riken.jp/crest_riken_ws.htmll.
A successful end to another BSI Summer Program
The BSI Summer Program 2005, a two-month program that started at the end of June 2005, ended August 2005. This annual event offers several internship opportunities and a two-week lecture course that attract applications from institutes and universities across the globe. 2005 marks the program's 7th year, which welcomed 44 young and promising researchers from 19 countries to RIKEN BSI's facilities in Japan.
The theme for this year's Lecture Course was "The Neurobiology of Mental Disorders and the Mind". Renowned lecturers from Japan and from abroad spoke over the two-week session on subjects addressing basic and advanced research on neural diseases and the biological basis of the mind. Enthusiastic discussions between participants, BSI researchers and invited lecturers were encouraged. Informal exchanges with BSI researcher s also took place at daily poster sessions and lab visits.
Internship participants worked in one BSI laboratories for 2 months, improving their technical abilities and scientific knowledge. At the end of the course, interns presented posters showing the research results they achieved at BSI. These presentations generated interesting discussions with other interns and BSI researchers.
BSI's annual Summer Program will continue to support promising researchers for the future of international brain science by providing these young researchers with opportunities to meet BSI researchers in an international setting.
Details about BSI Summer Program 2006 are available at: http://www.brain.riken.jp/summer.html.
Comprehensive Agreements with Australian National Neuroscience Facility and the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
To further promote international neuroscientific research collaborations, BSI established comprehensive agreements with the Australian National Neuroscience Facility and The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the United Kingdom in fall 2005. In addition to fostering collaborative researcher, these agreements also include researcher exchanges, development of joint seminars.
Society for Neuroscience awards the 2005 Young Scientist Award to Takao Hensch
Dr. Takao K. Hensch, Group Director of the Critical Period Mechanisms Research Group, received Society for Neuroscience's Young Scientist Award, one of the most prestigious awards in brain science, at its annual meeting in Washington D.C to acknowledge Hensch's work in uncovering the mechanisms regulating critical periods in animals. The award is presented to young brain science researchers who have made remarkable contributions to neuroscience within ten years following the completion of their Ph.D. Hensch is the first researcher not working in the United States to receive this award.
Iwao Matsuda, State Minister for Science, Technology, Food Safety and IT Policy visits RIKEN BSI
While on an inspection of RIKEN, Minister Matsuda paid a visit to RIKEN BSI on November 22, 2005. He received a general introduction to BSI Director, Shun-ichi Amari, before visiting the laboratories of the Critical Period Mechanism Research Group. Takao K. Hensch, the director of the group, presented the minister with recent research results regarding the critical period mechanisms of the brain. Minister Matsuda asked several questions to both men and expressed great interest in brain science. He said that he is optimistic about the direction of neuroscientific research.
