The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative: Brain Cell Atlas: From Data to Knowledge Workshop

About this Class

The past decade has witnessed thriving cell atlas research activities in elucidating human cell types and their organization principles. The NIH BRAIN Initiative launched a pilot 3-year BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Consortium (BICCC) in 2014, followed by two successive large-scale 5-year consortia, BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) in 2017 and BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) in 2022, aiming to create comprehensive spatially resolved brain cell atlases in human and other mammalian species as a foundational framework for the study of brain function and disorders.  Massive amounts of brain cell atlas data have been collected using approaches including single-cell RNA-seq and ATAC-seq, spatial transcriptomics, DNA and chromatin conformation and modifications, immunoimaging, calcium imaging, electrophysiology, histology, MRI, whole genome sequencing, and clinical metadata. However, these data remain to be fully integrated to reap the maximum value. This 3-day virtual event will bring together researchers and data scientists to address the challenges and opportunities in the analyses and integration of the brain cell atlas data by leveraging recent artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) advancements. 

This interactive workshop will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and demonstrations of AI/ML-driven tools for data analysis and integration. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the workshop aims to create a roadmap for building a scalable, community-driven brain cell atlas that serves as a foundational resource for studying brain function and disorders, ultimately accelerating discoveries in neuroscience and precision medicine.