NERF

IMEC, KU Leuven and VIB have set up a joint basic research initiative to unravel the neuronal circuitry of the human brain: Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders (NERF).

Supported by the Flemish Government, NERF will look into fundamental neuroscientific questions through collaborative, interdisciplinary research combining nanoelectronics with neurobiology. It intends to push the boundaries of science, by zooming in on the working of neurons at an unprecedented level of detail. In the long run, NERF will generate new insights in the functional mapping of the brain, as well as research methodologies and technologies for medical applications, i.e. diagnostics and treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.

Why NERF?
Today, neurobiology stands at an exciting crossroads. In their quest to unravel the secrets of the brain, a number of approaches, such as molecular and cellular biology, genetics, imaging, physiology, and behavioral studies are converging. In the past, each of these approaches has contributed significantly to our understanding of the brain. But now, it is their convergence that yields exciting results at an ever increasing pace.

The mission of NERF is to unravel the anatomical and functional fundamentals of neuronal circuits. It will do so by using and integrating neurobiological and nano-electronic approaches. The first goal is to generate the evidence needed for a theory of mental function and memory. Secondly, NERF should result in new medical applications for the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders or malfunction.

Scientific Advisory Board
A Scientific Advisory Board will support the start up and development of NERF. Members of the Board are:
- Christof Koch (Caltech, USA)
- Karel Svoboda (Janelia, USA)
- Stephen DeWeerth (Georgia Tech, USA)
- Gilles Laurent (MPI, DE)
- Patrick Wolf (Duke Univ, USA)
- Liqun Luo (Stanford Univ, USA)

Combining strengths of the 3 founders
The research groups of NERF will be integrated in the research community of VIB, IMEC and K.U.Leuven and will have full access to the research, technology and service facilities of the founding institutions. To reach their results, they will make use of disruptive biological, genetic, nano-electronic engineering approaches.

NERF will be housed on the IMEC campus where researchers will work in cross-disciplinary teams, benefitting from IMEC’s state-of-the-art clean room infrastructure and a new 1,000m² neurolab. NERF will be organized around teams of top-notch researchers doing world-class basic research. They will be able to work closely together with a wide range of experts from the 3 founding fathers, providing a unique leverage. By 2014, NERF aims to expand its team to about 50 international top-researchers. NERF starts off with a 3 million euro research grant from the Flemish Government for the first 3 years. The founders, IMEC, VIB and K.U.Leuven, will significanthy invest in NERF.