The HBP has created a large collection of curated multi-level, multi-species data, tools and models, from single neurons to whole brain, which will make EBRAINS a unique community resource. Multimodal approaches, across species and methodologies, have provided unprecedented insight into brain organisation at different levels. The HBP Atlas provides access to ultra-high resolution anatomical data in the BigBrain, plus proof-of-concept using iEEG data via Hibop, and a link to The Virtual Brain simulation/modelling support. This allowed fusing computational modelling, deep learning, experimentation and robotics to understand how the brain coordinates visually-guided actions, resulting in a new closed-loop architecture for robotic systems. Developed to support drug discovery, a first automated GPCR-tailored protocol connecting molecular and subcellular levels enabled prediction of ligand binding at subcellular level. Integration of molecular properties was also shown in large-scale mouse brain cellular simulations, run on HPC resources provided by Fenix. A framework was developed for assessing consciousness and brain complexity in human, rodent and in silico brains.
EBRAINS made selected services available to external users. The Neuroinformatics Platform improved input into the Knowledge Graph; its data and models content tripled in the last 12 months. The brain atlases were updated to cover more regions, template spaces and modalities. A new Collaboratory was introduced. Brain Simulation Platform use increased and new tools were added for modelling at different biological scales, The HPAC Platform has developed data federation and data-intensive computing services, such as the Fenix Data Transfer Service and Central Data Location Service and improved simulation tools’ readiness for HPC systems. The Medical Informatics Platform is deployed in 30 hospitals, with 20,000 datasets in dementia, mental health, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury – a scale offering statistical significance. The Neuromorphic Computing Platform unveiled a one million-core SpiNNaker system (the largest-ever neuromorphic platform) and supported learning and motor control loop experiments, plus application of structural plasticity to networks processing auditory and visual stimuli. The Neurorobotics Platform improved its usability and interoperability with other EBRAINS services, including HPC deployment, and supported spinal neurorehabilitation work, with publications in Nature and Nature Neuroscience.
The Grant Agreement Preparation Phase for SGA3 has been finalised. In SGA3, the HBP will focus on key scientific showcases and key elements of the EBRAINS RI. The EBRAINS AISBL has been created and a CEO hired; it is now building capacity to take over from EPFL as HBP Coordinator. The old Scientific Advisory Board and Clinical Advisory Board merged into a Science and Infrastructure Advisory Board. Nine Calls for Expression of Interest, to bring in new Partners, and Infrastructure Voucher Calls to support Partnering Projects, helped prepare for SGA3. The HBP developed a proposal for EBRAINS to join the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) Roadmap, to ensure its availability after the end of the FET Flagship.
