Understanding how the brain gives rise to the mind represents a great scientific challenge, and the answers will not come through any single approach or technique in isolation. A multidisciplinary effort is needed, and research at the Centre for Brain & Spine Research employs the full range of modern neuroscience techniques, from molecular genetics to functional neuroimaging, and computational modeling.

Focus Areas

Human Neuroscience  

Supporting human research studies that use advanced technologies to investigate the structure, function, and connectivity of the human brain. 

The Centre for Brain & Spine Research  is a collaborative research effort that seeks to accelerate our understanding of the human brain and revolutionize our ability to understand, treat, and prevent brain disorders. One of the key aspects of this Initiative is to support human research studies that use advanced technologies to investigate the structure, function, and connectivity of the human brain. These studies range from developing new tools and methods for imaging and mapping brain activity, to investigating the neural basis of behaviour and cognition, to developing innovative treatments for brain disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. By bringing together experts from a wide range of scientific fields, the Centre for Brain & Spine Research offers a unique opportunity to address some of the most pressing questions in neuroscience and to pave the way for new discoveries and treatments in the years to come.

Neural Recording and Modulation  

Supporting the development and optimization of new tools and technologies for modulation and recording of cellular or near cellular resolution signals of the central nervous system and the biology and biophysics underlying those technologies

The Centre for Brain & Spine Research supports the development and optimization of new tools and technologies for the modulation and recording of cellular or near-cellular resolution signals of the central nervous system and the biology and biophysics underlying those technologies.  

These technologies include electrodes, micro/mini scopes, molecular probes for neurotransmitters, magnetothermal tools, bioluminescent recorders, and voltage indicators, as well as supplemental components for these base technologies like custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), adaptive optics, and signal processing techniques.  

The primary goal of this research is to develop new tools that enable new capabilities for in vivo experiments, at or near cellular resolution, in animal models. Neural activity is defined broadly to include electrical activity, neurotransmitter and neuropeptide signaling, as well as plasticity and intracellular signaling events. The technologies funded through these funding opportunities represent diverse modalities including optical, electrical, magnetic, acoustic and genetic recording/manipulation.