The Brain Activity Map (BAM) Project
The project was conceived to increase our understanding of the brain by deciphering the neural code that gives rise to our perceptions and experiences. The idea was raised in 2011, when 13 neuroscientists and 14 nanoscientists met at the Kavli Royal Society International Centre outside London for a special symposium entitled, “Opportunities at the Interface of Neuroscience and Nanoscience.” During this meeting, the prospect of mapping the functioning brain was discussed. Eighteen months later, the Brain Activity Map Project proposal, and the scientists who propelled BAM, would prove catalytic to President Obama’s Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. The science community has now turned to the challenges ahead, as well as the opportunities that will come from achieving what has been described as “the Holy Grail” of neuroscience.
The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative is a broad, collaborative research initiative to advance the science and technologies needed to unlock the mysteries of the human brain. Inspired by the Human Genome Project, BRAIN aims to help researchers uncover the mysteries of brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, depression, and traumatic brain injury
Our papers on the project:
Yuste R. (2017). The Origins of the BRAIN Initiative: A Personal Journey. Cell 171(4):726-735. Full Text
Yuste R, Goering S, Arcas BAY, Bi G, Carmena JM, Carter A, Fins JJ, Friesen P, Gallant J, Huggins JE, Illes J, Kellmeyer P, Klein E, Marblestone A, Mitchell C, Parens E, Pham M, Rubel A, Sadato N, Sullivan LS, Teicher M, Wasserman D, Wexler A, Whittaker M, Wolpaw J. (2017). Four Ethical Priorities for Neurotechnologies and AI. Nature 551(7679):159-163. Full Text
Yuste R, Bargmann C. (2017). Toward a Global BRAIN Initiative. Cell 168(6):956-959. Full Text
Goering S, Yuste R. (2016). On the Necessity of Ethical Guidelines for Novel Neurotechnologies. Cell 167(4):882-885. Full Text
Alivisatos, A.P., Chun, M., Church, G.M., Greenspan, R.J., Roukes, M.L., and Yuste, R. (2015). A National Network of Neurotechnology Centers for the BRAIN Initiative. Neuron 74: 970-974. Full Text
Yuste, R. and Church, G. (2014). The New Century of the Brain. Scientific American March 2014: 38-45. Full Text
Alivisatos, A.P., Andrews, A.M., Boyden, E.S., Chun, M., Church, G.M., Deisseroth, K., Donoghue, J.P., Fraser, S.E., Lippincott-Schwartz, J., Looger, L.L., Masmanidis, S., McEuen, P.L., Nurmikko, A.V., Park, H., Peterka, D.S., Reid, C., Roukes, M.L., Scherer, A., Schnitzer, M., Sejnowski, T.J., Shepard, K.L., Tsao, D., Turrigiano, G., Weiss, P.S., Xu, C., Yuste, R., and Zhuang, X. (2013). Nanotools for Neuroscience and Brain Activity Mapping. ACS Nano March 2013: 1850–1866. Full Text
Alivisatos, A.P., Chun, M., Church, G.M., Deisseroth, K., Donoghue, J.P., Greenspan, R.J., McEuen, P.L., Roukes, M.L., Sejnowski, T.J., Weiss, P.S., and Yuste, R. (2013). The Brain Activity Map. Science. 339:1284-5. Full Text
Alivisatos, A.P., Chun, M., Church, G.M., Greenspan, R.J., Roukes, M.L., and Yuste, R. (2012). The Brain Activity Map Project and the Challenge of Functional Connectomics. Neuron 74: 970-974. Full Text
Obama White House Announcement
Transcript of President Obama’s Announcement
White House Video with Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the NIH
