German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, The Bernstein Network for Computational Neuroscience Simone Cardoso de Oliveira Bernstein Coordination Site, Freiburg The Bernstein Network for Computational Neuroscience Simone Cardoso de Oliveira Bernstein Coordination Site, Freiburg 1

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Historic roots of CNS in Germany Julius Bernstein ( ) ‘Membrane Theory’ 1902 (Halle): A mechanism explaining how electric stimuli spread along the membranes of nerve cells. First ever physico-chemical explanation of electric events in biology and the first quantitative theory in electrophysiology. In recognition of this seminal research, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has chosen to name their funding initiative in Computational Neuroscience after Julius Bernstein German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28,

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Historic roots of CNS in Germany Valentino Braitenberg Former Director, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen Manifesto of Brain Science “We are convinced that ultimately a satisfactory explanation of thought and behaviour will be given in a language akin to that of physics, i.e. in mathematical terms.” “Concepts such as (Shannonian) information, coding, computation, are outside of physics (even if the formulas look like physics) but are central to brain science. They are also fundamental concepts in electronics and computer science. This is the basis for a lively discourse between … engineering and brain science. Another common aspect is that both deal with functions directed to a goal, which physics does not.” “… The hypotheses we test in our experiments are really inventions of computing schemes … Thus … we can learn from …” [our colleagues in Artificial Intelligence] “… as much as they learn from us. Some ideas in brain science … have already turned into eminently practical applications.” Cited from: Valentino Braitenberg (1992): Manifesto of Brain Science., In: Ad Aertsen, Valentino Braitenberg (Eds.): Information Processing in the Cortex. Springer: Berlin German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Research Topics: From basic research to applications Basic Research a.Understanding brain function b. Simulating / modelling the brain c. Understanding diseases German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Research Topics: From basic research to applications a. Sensory Prosthesesb. Motor Prosthesesc. Brain-Computer Interfaces Replacing lost brain functions by technical devices German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience New, brain-inspired hightech developments c. New computer technologiesa. Robotics e.g. for driver‘s assistance systems, ID- checking b. Artificial / Computer Vision Research Topics: From basic research to applications German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Developing the Bernstein Network 1.Open calls published by BMBF 2.Competitive applications (partly 2-tiered) 3.Selection in international peer review process Selection criteria: Scientific quality Sustainability actions (e.g. professorships) Promotion of young researchers Relevance for applications 1.Open calls published by BMBF 2.Competitive applications (partly 2-tiered) 3.Selection in international peer review process Selection criteria: Scientific quality Sustainability actions (e.g. professorships) Promotion of young researchers Relevance for applications German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Bernstein Centers (2004) Funding Volume: ~ 36 M€ total German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Bernstein Award (`06, `07, `08,...) Funding Volume: 1.25 M€ each German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Bernstein Groups (2007) Funding Volume: ~ 5 M€ total German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Bernstein Cooperations (2007) Funding Volume: ~ 7.5 M€ total German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Bernstein Coordination Site (2008) Funding Volume: ~ 1.4 M€ German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience National INCF Node (2008) German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Bernstein Focus: Neurotechnology (2008) Funding Volume: ~ 34 M€ total German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Universities Max Planck Institutes Fraunhofer Institutes Leibniz Institutes Universities Max Planck Institutes Fraunhofer Institutes Leibniz Institutes 20 Cities / Regions The status quo: a nationwide network ~ 180 Research Groups German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience 20 Strong Industry Partners German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Next funding measures: Bernstein Focus: Neural basis of learning Module 1: Application-oriented basic research Module 2: Technical Applications 8 projects selected for funding Project start: June, September 2009 Module 1: Application-oriented basic research Module 2: Technical Applications 8 projects selected for funding Project start: June, September Funding Volume: ~ 16 M€ German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Next funding measures: Bernstein Centers II Pre-proposals selected Deadline for full proposals: May 27, 2009 Projects start: 2010 Pre-proposals selected Deadline for full proposals: May 27, 2009 Projects start: German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Support of young researchers German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience (New) Study Programs 14 Master Programs 16 PhD Programs 1 Postdoc Programm Advanced Courses Junior Research Groups in Bernstein Centers (e.g. Bernstein Fellows) Bernstein Award International Embedding Participation in ‚Training in Neuroinformatics‘ Work Group of INCF Cooperation and exchange with international teaching programs Support of young researchers German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Teaching & Training Activities German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience National Embedding: DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centers Berlin CRC 618 CRC 665 Freiburg CRC 780 Göttingen CRC 755 Heidelberg CRC 488 Tübingen CRC 550 Magdeburg CRC German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience National Embedding: Excellence Initiative Clusters of Excellence Berlin NeuroCure Freiburg bioss Göttingen Microscopy at the Nanomenter Range Heidelberg Cellular Networks Tübingen CIN Stuttgart Simulation Technology German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience National Embedding: Excellence Initiative Graduate Schools German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience National Embedding: Excellence Initiative Future Concepts German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Connection to the Excellence Initiative: Synopsis German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience National Embedding: Helmholtz Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Bonn German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Find out more on: German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009

Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience... and in our Press Material! German-Japanese Workshop Computational and Systems Neuroscience, Berlin, May 25-28, 2009