Brain Mind Institute
The Brain Mind Institute is located in the School of Life Sciences of the Ecole Polytechniques fédérales de Lausanne (EPFL).
The mission of the Brain Mind Institute is to understand the fundamental principles of brain function in health and disease, by using and developing unique experimental, theoretical, technological and computational approaches. The scientific challenge addressed by the BMI consists in connecting different levels of analysis of brain activity, such that cognitive functions can be understood as a manifestation of specific brain processes; specific brain processes as emerging from the collective activity of thousands of cells and synapses; synaptic and neuronal activity in turn as emerging properties of the biophysical and molecular mechanisms of cellular compartments.
Understanding information processing in the brain and its higher emerging properties is arguably one of the major challenges in the life sciences. Research at the BMI focuses on three main areas:
- Molecular neurobiology and mechanisms of neurodegeneration;
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms of synapse and microcircuit function up to the behavioural level and including metabolic aspects;
- Sensory perception and cognition in humans. In all areas, the BMI strives to integrate knowledge gained by multidisciplinary approaches and across different disciplines and research laboratories.
EPFL is one of the two Ecoles Polytechniques fédérales in Switzerland. Like its sister institution, ETHZ, it has three missions: education, research and technology transfer at the highest international level. Associated with several specialised research institutes, the two EPFs form the EPF domain, which is directly dependent on the Federal Department of Home Affairs.
Swiss artists-in-labs 2010
Artist: Nicole Ottiger
Swiss artists-in-labs 2009
Artist: Luca Forcucci
