UW Research

UW Computational Neuroscience Center (UW-CNC)

https://compneuro.washington.edu

Mission

We perform computational and theoretical research that unifies and interprets the extraordinary data on neural systems being developed by our partners in Seattle and around the world.  Working together in an open-minded, inspiring, and creatively rigorous environment, we build new connections between brain dynamics, circuitry, and computation to address some of the most compelling scientific questions of our time:

  •  What are the algorithms that underlie the complex patterns of activity that we can now directly observe in the brain? How do these patterns and dynamics implement the remarkable abilities and plasticity that organisms demonstrate and how might these inform designs for machine intelligence?
  •  How does the complex pattern of neural connections — the connectome — support and shape these patterns and computations?
  •  How can we bridge biological complexity and diversity at the cellular scale with dynamics and function at the scale of neural circuits and populations?

These questions span fundamental biology to next-generation computational science, and are key to enabling both a deep understanding of natural systems and advancing novel technologies.

Our interdisciplinary center will serve as the theoretical and computational hub for burgeoning efforts across campus in neurobiology and neural engineering.  We will bring new computational tools to bear on emerging datasets and synthesize the results using advanced theory from physics, computer science, and mathematics to develop dramatically new insights about brain function.

Funding Information

  • National Institute of Health (NIH), 2011-2021
  • University of Washington Office of Research, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Engineering, and Graduate Program in Neuroscience
  • Swartz Foundation

Reporting Structure

Deans of College of Arts and Sciences, School of Medicine, and College of Engineering

Related UW Entities

College of Arts and Sciences
School of Medicine
College of Engineering
Graduate Program in Neuroscience

External Partners

Allen Institute for Brain Science