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KIST’s Brain Science Institute Participates in US BRAIN Initiative (2016.09.25)
- Date : 2016-11-09
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KIST’s Brain Science Institute Participates in US BRAIN Initiative
- KIST team selected for participation in the US NIH U01 project -
- Excellence of KIST’s fluorescent protein sensors recognized globally -
On September 26, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced that Dr. Bradley Baker and Dr. Lawrence Cohen of the Center for Functional Connectomics at the Brain Science Institute were named as the researchers for the US NIH BRAIN Initiative U01.
Dr. Bradley Baker and Dr. Lawrence Cohen developed fluorescent protein sensors that use light to measure brain activity in hopes of mapping out human brain functions. In regard to the sensors that Dr. Baker developed independently at KIST, their functional characteristics were named using such Korean words as ‘Bongwoori’ (mountaintop), and ‘Pado’ (wave).
The KIST team will carry out the joint research project ‘Optimization of Transformative Technologies for Large Scale Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01)’. In addition to the two KIST researchers, research teams from Yale University and Montana State University will collaborate in the research over a 3-year period with funding of 3 million USD.
On May 30, the Korean government announced its ‘Brain Science Development Strategy’, which aims to secure core brain technologies, including the brain mapping. This strategy comes at a time when other advanced nations such as the US, the EU and Japan are carrying out large-scale national brain research projects.
KIST President Dr. Lee Byung Gwon said, “KIST’s participation in the BRAIN initiative is significant in that Korea’s brain research capability has now become globally recognized. This project will enhance the status and visibility of domestic brain researchers and encourage more Korean participation in international research programs by expanding exchanges with foreign organizations.”