The Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI) of Fudan University conducts interdisciplinary research among neuroscience, brain-inspired intelligence and clinical medicine. ISTBI performs as an interdisciplinary research hub bringing together expertise in mathematics, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, clinical medicine, computer science, and informatics in Fudan University. We are conducting world-class research focusing on cognitive neuroscience, computational biology, computational psychiatry, artificial intelligence, brain-inspired intelligence, and translational research in neural engineering and AI technology innovation.

Our research areas include Cognition and Neuromodulation, Bioinformatics and Neuroscience, Whole-brain Computation and Digital Brain, Brain-inspired Intelligence Technology and Application, and Neuroimaging and Translational Medicine.

1. Cognition and Neuromodulation

We explore the mechanisms of memory, decision-making, emotion etc, at micro, meso and macro scales with functional brain networks. We further conduct translational research of the precision medicine with intelligent neuromodulation, digital healthcare and big data modelling for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of neurological and mental diseases.

2. Bioinformatics and Neuroscience

We conduct the cross-disciplinary research between bioinformatics and neuroscience. The brain functions and mechanisms of neural information processing are further explored by integrating the bioinformatics modelling of gene, protein, synapse, neuroimaing and behaviors.

3. Whole-brain Computation and Digital Brain

We develop computational models and platforms by simulating the neural network at whole-brain scales by assimilating functional, anatomical and neuro-phyhsiological neuroimaging data. The digital twin brains (DTB) are further developed to illuminate neural circuits and cognitive functions, and uncover the pathogenic mechanism of brain diseases. The new theories of AI will be developed through the interdisciplinary research between biological and artificial brains.

4. Brain-inspired Intelligence Technology and Application

By developing new algorithms and frameworks of intelligence science, we are laying the groundwork to develop personalized treatment for brain diseases. We are also developing intelligent perception, decision-making, control theories and new-generation unmanned systems that will be applied in autonomous vehicles, intelligent manufacturing, smart city.

5. Neuroimaging and Translational Medicine

We are using AI algorithms and models of multi-omics and multi-modal biomedical data to develop biomarkers for drug development, health risk prediction, diagnosis and treatment technologies of neurological and mental diseases. We also promote innovations in neuroimaging technologies and translational medicine.

ISTBI has 7 research centres, including Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Centre for Computational Systems Biology, Centre for Artificial Intelligence Algorithms, Centre for Population Neuroscience and Precision Medicine (PONS), Centre for Neural and Intelligence Engineering (NIEC), Zhangjiang International Brain Biobank (ZIB), and Zhangjiang Brain Imaging Centre (ZIC). The Zhangjiang Brain Imaging Centre is the largest brain imaging centre in Asia, which is equipped research facilities of ultra-high field MAGNETOM Terra 7T MR scanner, Connectom 3T MR scanner, 11.7T MRI, 3T Connectom and MEG.

ISTBI has currently 49 faculties, 37 postdocs, 41 technical and support staffs and 207 postgraduates. ISTBI is well known with developing international research teams in Fudan University. Our foreign faculties include 5 Distinguished Professors, 2 Distinguished Research Professors, 2 Honorary Professors, 5 Adjunct Professors, 2 Young Principle Investigators and 6 Postdoctoral Fellows. The scientists include recipients of the APS (Association for Psychological Science) William James Fellow Award, the Brain Prize, the Humboldt Prize, the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award and other international awards, and scientists who are selected into the Highly Cited Researchers, the World's Top 2% Scientists, the Highly Cited Chinese Researchers, and other internationally notable ranking lists.

We have significant research performance in publishing in top journals and attracting research funds. From 2015 to 2022, our research teams have published over 700 papers in top academic journals such as Nature, Science, JAMA Psychiatry, PNAS, Brain, Molecular Psychiatry, etc. Our research teams have led 107 government-sponsored research projects and 43 enterprise-sponsored research projects, receiving funding support over 120 million yuan. The research programs include the largest one in brain research and brain-inspired intelligence funded by Shanghai Municipal Government (96 million yuan), and flagship programs of National Brain Research and Brain-Inspired Intelligence by Ministry of Science and Technology of China.

ISTBI actively promote international collaborations with global partners. We have formed a network of global partnerships with top higher education and research institutions, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, King’s College London, the University of Sydney, the University of Warwick, Charité - Berlin University of Medicine, etc. We provide supports for research exchange, seed funding, academic activities, etc.