Supercomputer to Build Detailed 3D Model of Human Brain
Posted on June 7, 2005
Neuroscientists are planning to build the most detailed model of the human brain with the help of a supercomputer provided by IBM. The model will focus on the neurocortex which is where neuroscientists believe is responsible for higher cognitive functions. The BBC reports that experts at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Switzerland will spend two years creating a 3D simulation of the neocortex. BBC also reports that the plan is being called the Blue Brain Project:
The effort has been dubbed the Blue Brain Project. It is a daunting undertaking given the myriad of electro-chemical connections that must be mapped.By using a supercomputer to run experiments in real time, Professor Markram hopes to accelerate substantially the pace of brain research.
"With an accurate computer-based model of the brain much of the pre-testing and planning normally required for a major experiment could be done 'in silico' rather than in the laboratory.
"With certain simulations we anticipate that a full day's worth of 'wet lab' research could be done in a matter of seconds on Blue Gene."
