Imec, VIB (Flanders’ leading life science institute), and the Leuven University have set up a joint basic research initiative to unravel the neuronal circuitry of the human brain: Neuroelectronics Research Flanders (NERF). Supported by the Flemish Government, NERF will look into fundamental neuroscientific questions through collaborative, interdisciplinary research combining nanoelectronics with neurobiology. It intends to push the boundaries of science, by zooming in on the working of neurons at an unprecedented level of detail. In the long run, NERF will generate new insights in the functional mapping of the brain, as well as research methodologies and technologies for medical applications, i.e. diagnostics and treatment of disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.
NERF is housed on the imec campus where researchers will work in cross-disciplinary teams, benefitting from imec’s state-of-the-art clean room infrastructure and a new 1,000m² neurolab. NERF will be organized around teams of top-notch researchers doing world-class basic research. They will be able to work closely together with a wide range of experts from the 3 founding fathers, providing a unique leverage. By 2014, NERF aims to expand its team to about 50 international top-researchers. NERF starts off with a 3 million euro research grant from the Flemish Government for the first 3 years. The founders, imec, VIB and K.U.Leuven, will significanthy invest in NERF.