The first of many planned for 2021, these workshops – co-hosted by the NIH BRAIN Initiative and Department of Energy (DOE) – will bring together experts to discuss neural circuit mapping, connectomics, and challenges in whole-brain mapping. Please join us on Feb. 5 and 17, and March 5, 17, and 31!
The NIH BRAIN Initiative recently partnered with the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science to organize five workshops on brain connectivity. Following the findings of the BRAIN 2.0 reports, this series will bring together researchers with broad expertise to discuss state-of-the-art technologies in mapping complete neural circuits, opportunities to advance connectomics, and challenges to creating detailed maps of brain connectivity – “wiring diagrams” spanning the entire mammalian brain. Ultimately, together with the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network cell-type “parts list”, these diagrams will advance our understanding of brain circuitry and function, and drive innovations in data science.
Workshops are open to anyone and will be livestreamed on NIH Videocast. You can view the them live at https://videocast.nih.gov/ on the day of the event. Each workshop will take place from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (EST).
Please view the brain connectivity workshop website for an up-to-date list of speakers and topics.
Workshop 1: Significance of mapping complete neural circuits
Friday, Feb. 5, 2021
This workshop will explore the potential impact of generating detailed maps of brain connectivity spanning the entire mammalian brain. Invited speakers will discuss the value of mapping connectomes across species (e.g., drosophila, zebrafish, songbirds), retina connectomics, and how rodent connectomes inform our understanding of learning and behavior. There will also be a panel discussion on the importance of the whole mouse brain connectome.
Workshop 2: Sample preparation in mammalian whole-brain connectomics
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021
Speakers will identify current capabilities and issues in tissue sample preparation for whole mouse brain electron microscopy connectomics at the synapse and complementary imaging at lower resolution in mouse and larger (including human) brains. For this discussion, relevant complementary techniques include light microscopy, functional imaging, cell-type labeling, and others. A panel will consider the current state of tissue preparation techniques and key challenges of scaling up to larger brains.
Workshop 3: Experimental modalities for whole-brain connectivity mapping
Friday, March 5, 2021
The third workshop will identify opportunities and challenges in a variety of state-of-the-art whole-brain connectivity mapping modalities. The first session will cover multi-scale imaging of the connectome, efforts to disseminate these imaging technologies, and democratization of data collection. Speakers will also discuss projectome to connectome imaging, synapto-projectomes, bridging spatial and temporal gaps, and other topics.
Workshop 4: Connectome generation and data pipelines
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Speakers will identify opportunities and challenges associated with connectome generation and data pipelines. The first session will cover volume assembly (i.e., image stitching, alignment, registration) and automated reconstruction and annotation (i.e., segmentation, synapses, types, compartments). Speakers will also discuss connectome proofreading, verification, crowd-sourcing, high performance computing, and other topics.
Stay tuned for more information on the fifth workshop, which is planned for March 31, 2021.
Registration for all workshops is still open! Please register here. For workshop agendas, speaker bios, and more, check out the workshop series website.