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Pervasive computing framework for modeling complex virtually unbound systems

The aim of the this project is to develop a scalable hardware platform made of custom reconfigurable devices endowed with bio-inspired capabilities that will enable the simulation of large-scale complex systems and the study of emergent complex behaviours in a virtually unbounded wireless network of computing modules. At the heart of these ubiquitous computing modules (ubidules), we will use a custom reconfigurable electronic device capable of implementing bio-inspired mechanisms such as growth, learning, and evolution. This reconfigurable circuit will be associated to rich sensory elements and wireless communication capabilities. The project platform offers several advantages compared to classical software simulations: speed-up, an inherent real-time interaction with the environment, self-organization capabilities, simulation in the presence of uncertainty, and distributed multi-scale simulations.

Project supported by European Union FP6.

Global Approach to Brain Activity: From Cognition to Disease

This Project aims to determine the functional role of normal and aberrant synchronization mechanisms in the emergence of higher cerebral functions in health and disease, by using tools borrowed from nonlinear dynamics and complexity theory. We recollect and analyze collective brain responses (multichannel-EEG, intracranial EEG, magnetoencephalographic recordings and local field potentials) and single-neuron activity under different normal and abnormal physiological conditions: from cognitive performance (sensory processing, attention, and memory in humans and non-human primates) to pathological mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. We apply linear and nonlinear methods, as well as tools from stochastic analysis and from the theories of complex networks and delayed dynamical systems.

Project supported by European Union FP6.

Neuronal Discharge Recognition System with Unsupervised Learning

The deep brain stimulation (DBS) technique has recently become a well-recognized surgical treatment for neurological diseases accompanying motor disorders, specifically for ParkinsonŐs Disease. In DBS, chronic microelectrodes embedded in a proper position in basal ganglia (most often in the subthalamic nucleus) provide high-frequency periodical electric stimuli (HFS) to the area close to the electrode tip (region of interest, ROI). This stimulation provokes a modification of the dynamics of the neural network and HFS more specifically provokes effects similar to the inactivation of the ROI. It is now well accepted that DBS can improve severe motor disorders and its clinical application is booming throughout the world. However, little is known about the effect of complex patterns of pulsed stimuli in temporal modes other than periodic. Our project is aimed at improving the technique of detecting the neuronal activities during the neurosurgical operation and to establish an interactive database that links the neurophysiological analysis of the neuronal activities with clinical follow-up investigation. The expected outcome will provide key knowledge and technologies to develop DBS technique and promote its dissemination in the routine clinical environments.

Project supported by INSERM and Japanese Society for Promotion of Science.

Bioinformatics proteome analysis of neuroglioblastomes

The SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique is a state-of-the-art method for evaluating protein abundances in a biological samples. The purpose of the project is assessing the significance of a set of proteins selected as candidate markers for drug responsive neuroglioblastomes. Proteins should therefore be characterized according to their diagnostic significance. Unsupervised analysis (clustering) and supervised analysis (classification) have been tested against standard summary statistics. Discriminative power are estimated with an appropriate indicator, and features are ranked according to their values.

Project supported by University Joseph Fourier Grenoble 1 and by University of Genova.

European Network of Excellence Nano2Life

European Research Project PERPLEXUS

European Research Project GABA

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