Neuroinformatics 2008, Sept. 7-9: The First Congress Dedicated To The Emerging Field Of Neuroinformatics

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Conferences;  IT / Internet / E-mail;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 07 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The first INCF Congress of Neuroinformatics will convene September 7-9 at the Stockholm City Conference Center in Stockholm. The emerging neuroinformatics field combines neuroscience and informatics research to develop advanced tools and approaches to understanding the structure and function of the brain. The tools may also be applied to brain disorders and diseases. With a broad international outreach, the meeting will bring together experts from all disciplines contributing to neuroinformatics.

Until recently, datasets revealing such details as gene expression, electrophysiological properties, neurotransmitter activity and receptor distribution, have been far too vast for standard data processing approaches. In the new neuroinformatics field, neuroscientists and computer scientists have teamed up to develop efficient data processing tools so less data is wasted. The meeting, called "Neuroinformatics 2008," aims to facilitate dissemination of recent progress and the building of a strong and vibrant community.

"The INCF Congress is the largest outreach activity of the INCF. It provides a new venue for presentations and discussions of neuroinformatics projects and initiatives from around the world. The INCF is planning to continue with a series of congresses to further promote the field of neuroinformatics", said Jan Bjaalie, executive director of the INCF.

More than 260 researchers from nearly 30 countries - including all INCF member countries and Russia, and China - are expected to attend the single track meeting, which includes a series of keynote speakers, workshops, poster sessions and live demonstrations of neuroinformatics tools.

Chaired by Rodney Douglas, head of the Institute of Neuroinformatics in Zurich, the congress will feature keynote lectures covering topics such as synaptic nanomachines, digital age perspective of neuro-research, and brain-robot function translations.

Some highlights

• Sunday, Sept. 7, 19:00: Reception at the City Hall of Stockholm, hosted by the City of Stockholm
  
  
• Monday, Sept. 8, 08:30: Computational neuroscientist Mitsuo Kawato will present his brain-controlled robots
  
  
• Monday, Sept. 8, 15:40: Neuroscientist Henry Markram will discuss the latest progress in the Blue Brain Project that aims to simulate a model of the brain using a supercomputer.
  
  
• Monday, Sept. 8, 13:30: Kathie Olsen, NSF deputy director, and Wolfgang Boch, head of the Future and Emerging Technologies unit at the European Commission, will hold a special session on funding neuroinformatics research. They will focus on success stories and opportunities in the United States and Europe.

Click here to access the full program.

In its inaugural year, the INCF Neuroinformatics Congress is anticipated to be an annual meeting. The meeting is supported by:

• European Union Special Support Action INCF
  
  
• the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research
  
  
• the INCF Central Fund.
  
  
• the Frontiers Research Foundation
  
  
• the Bernstein Network

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Source: Elli Chatzopoulou
INCF - International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility

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