Bio-ICT Convergence in the EU Framework 7 Programme
The European Union's Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7) is funding a Future Emerging Technologies initiative to support research on the theme of Bio-ICT Convergence. The purpose of this initiative is to develop new perspectives in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) that exploit the understanding of information processing in biological systems or lead to systems that can be naturally combined with biological systems. The initiative is funding seven Bio-ICT Convergence projects:
- BIOTACT: Biomimetic technology for vibrissal active touch
- BRAINSTORM: On-chip simultaneous intracellular recording and stimulation of electrical and biochemical activities from hundreds of neurons
- CYBERRAT: A brain-chip interface for high-resolution bi-directional communication
- LAMPETRA: Life-like artefact for motor-postural experiments and development of new control technologies inspired by rapid animal locomotion
- NEUROCHEM: Biologically inspired computation for chemical sensing
- RENACHIP: Rehabilitation of a cerebellar function by a biomimetic silicon chip
- SECO: Self-constructing computing systems
Latest News
SUMMER SCHOOL. The jointly-organised, Barcelona, Cognition, Brain & Technology (BCBT) summer school will be held 8-19 September 2008. For more details see http://www.iua.upf.edu/bcncs/information. Registration ends 31st July.
JOBS. Research positions (pre-doctoral and post-doctoral) are available on several Bio-ICT projects. Details will be posted shortly.
Bio-ICT Convergence Themes
Projects will integrate some of the following topics:
- Novel computing paradigms: Computing paradigms will be derived from the information representation and processing capabilities of biological systems (networks of neurons or other cells), or from the computational interpretation of biological processes (molecular signalling, metabolism) and with measurable advantages over current approaches to difficult problems in information processing.
- Biomimetic artefacts: Ad hoc hardware implementations of bio-inspired systems will be derived in areas where standard devices do not provide the required performance. This may use analogue and digital circuits, evolvable hardware, artificial cells, neuro-morphic chips or sensors for achieving life-like functionality or properties such as self organisation, robustness or growth.
- Bi-directional interfaces: Interfaces between electronic or electro-mechanical systems and living entities will be developed, at or close to the cellular level, with adequate control and/or signal processing algorithms, will enable direct interfacing to the nervous system or to other types of cells.
- Biohybrid artefacts: New artefacts will involve tightly coupled ICT and biological entities (e.g. neural or other types of biological tissue) for new forms of computation, sensing, communication or physical actuation or adaptation.
This multi-disciplinary research should foster joint progress and synergy between ICT and the biological and brain sciences. Novel computing paradigms should lead to a fundamental rethinking of notions of information and computation that may be better suited for certain classes of problems and that can be implemented in biological, biomimetic or biohybrid devices. Such devices will need to satisfy requirements of, e.g. performance, resilience or energy consumption that are currently difficult to meet. Research on bio-interfaces and bio-hybrid devices should enable new bio-compatible ICT uses that rely on direct interactions between the technological and the living, such as for robust brain-machine interfacing or for powerful sensory-motor capabilities.
