Forschungszentrum Jülich - Research in Jülich 2_2013

Prof. Sonja Grün from the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM) depends on supercomputers to enable her to evaluate the amounts of data she pro- duces. The neuroinformatician is interested in how different areas of the brain work together, for exam- ple those responsible for visual and motor systems. What processes occur in the brain when we grab a coffee mug that’s about to tip over? Why do we lift our foot off the accelerator when we see the sign for a 30-kilometres-per-hour speed limit? In experi- ments, the scientist and her partners in France and Japan measure which neurons are activated in the different regions of the brain at what time – and what behaviour this triggers. “Neurons communi- cate via action potentials referred to as ‘spikes’ in a matter of milliseconds,” says Sonja Grün. “We can measure this transmission of electrical excitation in experiments and interpret it by analysing eye move- ments and observing behaviour.” This may sound simple, but in fact, it’s very com- plex – and happens incredibly fast. Only 200 milli- seconds pass from one eye movement to the next – and in the meantime, numerous processing and feedback operations occur in the brain. When Grün observes a movement – from visual perception to reaction – this produces huge amounts of data. Even in the simplest experiments, each neuron is involved in scores of simultaneous processes in the brain. The scientist develops statistical methods and software tools to make sense of this apparent chaos. :: Neurons as Team Players Sonja Grün, neuro- informatician Helmholtz Research Priority The Helmholtz Association has made the simulation of the human brain with supercomputers one of its re- search priorities. The portfolio theme ‘Supercomput- ing and Modelling for the Human Brain’ (SMHB) in- volves several Helmholtz centres together with university partners who work on scientific priorities such as simulation technology, data management, as well as structural and functional brain research. Forschungszentrum Jülich contributes through its Insti- tute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM), the Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS), and the Jülich Super- computing Centre (JSC), and is responsible for coordi- nating the project. Research in Jülich 2|20138 Institute JUBRAIN

Forschungszentrum Jülich - Research in Jülich 2_2013

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