Project acronym: NEURALCOMP
Interdisciplinary Center for Neural Computation (ICNC)
Proposal/Contract no.: 505682
Transnational Access
1.
Project objectives and summary
Computational Neuroscience is a new research discipline that is emerging using a multi-disciplinary approach
for unravelling the principles that underlie computation and information processing in the brain, and for
advancing the construction of intelligent artificial devices.
The Hebrew University Interdisciplinary Centre for Neural Computation (ICNC) is the home of a worldrenowned group of scientists focusing on the central questions as to ‘how the brain computes’. The Centre
supports cutting edge research projects on brain research and leads interactions with industry in the discussion of
the implementation of research findings to real-life applications.
ICNC provides an inter-face for interactive research in Neurobiology, Physics and Applied Physics, Computer
Science and Psychophysics with the objective of increasing the understanding of how the brain works with
specific focus on computational aspects of the nervous system. ICNC has ‘state of the art’ facilities for studying
and modelling the nervous system at its different levels, from single neuron computation to signal processing in
small and large cortical networks, to the system and the behavioural level.
The objectives of NEURALCOMP are {1} to provide European visitors with opportunities to carry out research
projects, which will contribute to the development of their personal research capacities {2} to provide specialist
training on NEURALCOMP facilities that are either unique in themselves or in combination or are specially
adapted for work in the context of Neural computation and {3} to enhance the R&D capacities of new and
emerging groups through project work of mutual interest.
NEURALCOMP will provide 1362 user days for research visitors (mostly at their Ph.D. and early post-doc
training period) over the 36 months. Visitors will receive the full scientific, technical and logistic support needed
for their projects to be successful.
2.
Project website: http://icnc.huji.ac.il/
3.
Start date: 1 November 2004
Duration: 36 months
4.
Access modalities
The selection panel receives, via email, the details of each European applicant (the application form is available
at the project web page: http://icnc.huji.ac.il/neuralcomp). Based on these details, and following personal
discussions the panel then decides whether the applicant is appropriate for the facility offered.
A steering committee will allocate the visiting fellowships based on application merit, the relevance of the
research project and the importance to the EU. Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously used
the facility and would not normally have access to it.
Project manager:
Prof. Idan Segev, Director, ICNC
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, Israel 919o4
Email: idan@lobster.ls.huji.ac.il
Project Coordinator
Ms. Sigal Cohen,
ICNC, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, Israel 91904
Tel:972-2-6584898
Fax: 972-2-6586152
Email: neuralcomp@alice.nc.huji.ac.il
5.
Achievements
During the first period of this project the ICNC hosted 31 EU visitors for a total of 753 days, and 8 papers are
being presently written as a result of these visits.
6.
List of participants
Partic.
Role*
Partic. No.
Participant name
Participant short name
Country
CO
01
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
HUJI
Israel
*CO = Coordinator