Brain science and technology: initiatives in the Shanghai and Yangtze River Delta region

With hundreds of billions of neurons and tens of billions of synaptic connections, the human brain is considered one of the most complex biological systems in the natural world. It is the basis of human perception and intelligence. Research on the brain, including its structure and function, sits at the forefront of scientific and technological exploration. With the new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, industrial demands are driving further exploration of the human brain’s cognitive neural mechanisms, and its integration with brain-inspired intelligence technologies — intelligent technologies with development inspired by brain and neuroscience principles. Many nations, including the United States, European Union and Japan, have launched brain research programmes. Billions of dollars of investment globally have led to hundreds of publications reporting breakthroughs in brain cell typing, neural circuit analysis, neural activity recording, brain function intervention, theoretical and data analysis tools, human neurobiology and cross-integration technologies. However, gaps remain in understanding, from cognitive function to ageing and pathology. Further breakthroughs in brain-inspired computing systems and devices will require a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms of the brain. China announced in 2016 the launch of its Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Project to explore the neurological basis of human cognition, while informing the treatment of brain diseases and advancing brain-inspired intelligence and computing technologies. Cities like Shanghai soon started investing in brain-inspired intelligence research to support the development of relevant industries. The Institute of Brain-Intelligence Technology (BIT) was established at the Zhangjiang Lab, built in Pudong’s Zhangjiang Science City, in 2017, to promote interdisciplinary research on life science and information technology, positioning Shanghai as a globally influential science and technology innovation centre. The Shanghai Municipal Government established the Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence (Shanghai Brain/AI Center) in 2018 ( Fig. 1 ). As […]

Click here to view full article