Brain research labs open

Flanders' brain research that may lead to better diagnosis and treatment of brain disease, new prosthesis technologies for patients with a disability and a new generation of more intelligent robots has moved into higher gear.

Imec, VIB and KU Leuven have inaugurated the NERF (Neuro-Electronics Research Flanders) labs on the Imec campus in Leuven.

The human brain project was also launched on this occasion, one of the projects on the shortlist of the European flagship program.

NERF is a research initiative supported by Imec, VIB and KU Leuven and funded by the Flemish government. In NERF, these three Flemish centres of expertise are pooling their knowledge in various research disciplines - nanoelectronics, biotechnology and neurology - with a view to achieving breakthroughs in unravellling the workings of the brain.

The NERF labs offer a combination of state-of-the-art nanoelectronics research instruments and tools for biotechnological and neurological research.