The Industry-University Cooperative Research Center for Building Reliable Advances and Innovations in Neurotechnology (IUCRC BRAIN) has two new members.
In an Aug. 23 news announcement, IUCRC BRAIN said the Georgia Institute of Technology and West Virginia University “have been funded by the National Science Foundation” and will be joining IUCRC BRAIN, which is headquartered at the University of Houston.
The announcement described IUCRC BRAIN as “home base for scientists developing and testing the efficacy, safety, and long-term reliability of patient-centered neurotechnology.”
IUCRC BRAIN Center Director Jose Luis Contreras-Vidal said in the announcement, “Having WVU and Georgia Tech in BRAIN is a major milestone, as they are top universities in the biomedical field. GT is number one, according to U.S. News & World Report. WVU is doing human-subjects testing of implanted electrode arrays for brain-computer interfaces.”
Noting that “millions of adults live with neurological disorders, brain injury, mental illness, limb loss or paralysis,” and the resulting need for accessible technology that can support patients’ rehab needs, the IUCRC BRAIN announcement described “creative” approaches: “When you enter the center, you may see dancers or artists busy with pirouettes or paintbrushes while wearing brain caps to measure their neural activity.”
Peter Konrad, M.D., West Virginia University, said in the announcement, “The NSF IUCRC BRAIN program is a terrific deal for young startup companies who wish to do proof-of-concept studies with an outstanding team of neural engineers and clinicians. You can’t beat the cost of entry into an academic partnership with leading institutions in this space. There is a commitment to providing high value and significant reduction in overhead expenses.”
Michelle C. LaPlaca of Georgia Tech said, “Georgia Tech is very excited to join the BRAIN IUCRC with other leading neuro-engineering institutions, all passionate about bringing faculty and students together with industry to collaborate on cutting-edge neurotechnology development. The Center partnerships are an excellent opportunity for small and large companies to invest in pre-translational research that both meets industry needs and harnesses academic expertise in order to ultimately improve patients’ lives.”
The IUCRC BRAIN phase 2 is funded by the National Science Foundation via a $1.8 million award through summer 2027, plus approximately $800,000 to $1 million yearly in industry funds.
Mohan Kumar, Program Director of the National Science Foundation said, “The BRAIN Center is a shining example of the NSF IUCRC program. Industry innovators, academic researchers and government agencies are collaborating to address challenging problems in neurotechnology. The BRAIN Center will be a source of transformative research work that has the potential to impact people with physical and neurological impairments.”
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