Italy

Overview

The EBRAINS Italian National Node (EBRAINS Italy) is coordinated by the National Research Council (CNR), acting as the Node Lead Partner and Full Member of AISBL EBRAINS. It falls under the responsibility of the Department of Biomedical Sciences (CNR-DSB), with operational management provided by the National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO). It collaborates with several Universities and, through various national initiatives and ongoing projects, engages multiple research centers across the country. EBRAINS Italy provides a comprehensive range of neuroscientific services, including sensitive data production, data management and analysis, modelling and simulation tools. Additionally, it aims to offer new, technologically advanced services to both individual users and enterprises.

The scientific vision of EBRAINS Italy is centred on the Multimodal, Multiscale, and Multi-model analysis of the spatiotemporal organization of the brain (3M approach). EBRAINS Italy provides the opportunity to link the molecular and cellular properties of neurons and synapses to the macroscale organization of the brain using a unique set of experimental recordings, computational models and simulations, and analytical and informatic tools. The major impact of applying a multi-scale investigation to the organization of the human brain is the ability to better understand the relationship between brain structure, function, and dynamics, addressing in this way neurophysiological and neuropathological questions that would otherwise remain unanswered. The node will offer a variety of services, which include Function and Structure datasets, Modeling and Simulation, Data Management, Processing and Storage capacity, Education, and applicative solutions for Biomedicine and Technology.
 

Services Offered

The first service package available in EBRAINS Italy includes the following options:

• Light-Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM) from the European Laboratory of Non-Linear Spectroscopies (LENS), Sesto Fiorentino, Florence

  LENS provides access to two microscopy configurations capable of acquiring high-speed, high-resolution images with simultaneous dual-color acquisition. LENS has developed extensive expertise across the entire LSFM workflow, including sample preparation (clearing and staining) both on animal models and human samples, imaging using custom-designed optical configurations, and image post-processing (volumetric stitching and compression). 3D automatic analysis tools based on supervised and unsupervised methods are available for feature segmentation and extraction, to perform both cell identification and counting, and fibers and vessels orientation.  LENS can deliver a complete service (clearing, imaging, and  data analysis) for the generation of 3D brain maps, or host researchers who wish to use the microscopes directly or acquire technical expertise in light-sheet fluorescence microscopy.

• Brain Modeling Hub from the University of Pavia (UNIPV)

  The Hub is hosted at the University of Pavia (UNIPV) and performs multiscale modeling ranging from single neurons and microcircuits to large-scale networks and whole-brain models. The Hub leverages the unique concept of the Brain Scaffold Builder (BSB), a modeling workflow that enables multiscale modeling of neurons, microcircuits, large-scale networks, and entire brains. BSB can be easily applied to any brain networks through customized developments on demand and can be used for virtual brain simulators, robotic control systems, and neuromorphic hardware. The HUB implements the full pipeline of MRI signal analysis needed for virtual brain modeling in humans and the generation of Brain Digital Twins. In summary, the HUB will allow researchers and customers to exploit computational models and transform them into different applications for the cure of brain diseases and the development of brain-inspired technologies. A modeling portal is provided to showcase the hub capacities and to design in silico experiments on cells, circuits, and the whole brain (https://cerebhub.eu).

• Hippocampus Hub from the Institute of Biophysics of CNR (CNR-IBF), Palermo

  The “Hippocampus” Facility Hub, offered by the Institute of Biophysics of CNR in Palermo, was originally developed within the Human Brain Project (HBP) Flagship. The Hippocampus Hub is a community-oriented web portal for scientists, students, and interested users who wish to explore data and use or implement hippocampus-related models. The facility allows users to explore the data underlying the models and perform in silico experiments using the high-performance computing infrastructure provided by EBRAINS. It also offers access to a database of interoperable hippocampal data, such as neuronal morphologies and electrophysiological recordings, retrieved from public resources. A modeling portal is provided to set up in silico experiments on single cells and neural circuits.

• Base Infrastructure and Data Management Services from CINECA, Bologna

  Building on its long-standing experience in managing computing, cloud, and storage infrastructures within several European projects—such as the Human Brain Project Flagship, ICEI, Fenix, and EBRAINS 2.0—CINECA supports the start-up operations of the EBRAINS Italy Node. CINECA, initially, will  contribute by providing: allocation of storage resources for data preservation and sharing in compliance with FAIR principles, using systems already integrated with the EBRAINS Italy and EBRAINS 2.0 infrastructures; allocation of cloud resources to host services and applications required by the EBRAINS Italy Node coordinators for project management, the EBRAINS Italy Node website and portal, and other useful digital solutions; dedicated personnel to support the EBRAINS Italy Node in ensuring compatibility between the adopted technological solutions and policies and those at the European level.

  Once the start-up operations will be completed, CINECA will continue to support the activities through the provision of computational, cloud and storage resources via national and european grant programmes and supporting the co-design activities for community workflows.

  The EBRAINS Italy node current services are evolving to expand their capabilities in line with the EBRAINS Research Infrastructure (RI) vision. The 3M approach is being implemented across all Node member institutions. Specifically:

• Multiscale Brain Imaging and Data Analysis is advancing at LENS, extending the LSFM service.
• Multiscale Brain Modelling is progressing at UNIPV, fully deploying EBRAINS tools to implement multiscale brain modeling strategies, up to Brain Digital Twins for clinical applications.
• Data Aggregation and Federated Analysis for Sensitive Data Management is under development at CINECA.
• Single-cell and Network Modeling, Simulation, and In Silico Experiments on physiological and pathological hippocampal conditions are being developed at CNR-IBF.

Our community is designing scientific use cases to exploit existing EBRAINS services and create integrated workflows addressing unmet clinical needs. These services will leverage EBRAINS’ core infrastructure, enable access to shared datasets, and ensure compliance with data management regulations.
 

Services Onboarding

EBRAINS Italy interacts with an expanded ecosystem in Italy, comprising hospitals, public and private research centers, companies, and includes the Italian Infrastructure in brain research, recently funded through the NextGeneration EU/ 'National Recovery and Resilient Plan', coordinated by CNR-Institute of Biophysics. The National RI is working to develop an Incubator/Acceleration service for neuroscience, to facilitate clinical, pharmacological, and experimental activities in healthcare and life science by leveraging advanced technologies and “Science to Market” (S2M) or "Lab to Market" (L2M). It fosters collaboration among researchers, promotes data sharing, and supports the development of innovative solutions while also providing educational initiatives. With numerous projects, facilities, and international engagements, it strengthens interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and drives new collaborations in neuroscience, increasing the EBRAINS community and potential user access.

A Joint Research Unit agreement has been established to define the organization and governance of EBRAINS Italy Node and to foster interactions with institutions beyond the node, aiming to build an ecosystem that accelerates collaborative brain research and expands the range of node services.

Part of the institutions with whom the Italian node is interacting are:

• Research groups involved in the NRRP National Infrastructure: Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI), Politecnico di Torino (POLITO), Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Scuola Normale Superiore (SNS), Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento Sant'Anna (SSSA), Università degli Studi di Pavia (UNIPV), Università degli Studi di Firenze (UNIFI), Università degli Studi di Milano (UNIMI), Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II (UNINA), Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD), Università degli Studi di Sassari (UNISS), Università La Sapienza di Roma (UNIROMA1), CNR institutes Institute of Neuroscience (CNR-IN), Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (CNR-ISASI), Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (CNR-ISTC).
• Some neuroscientific of the Clinical Research Centres (IRCCSs) network, among them Don Gnocchi, SYNLAB SDN
• Research groups from: Institute of Bioimaging and Complex Biological Systems (CNR-IBSBC), Università degli Studi di Torino (UNITO), European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) “Rita Levi-Montalcini”.

Contact

Do you have any questions about the Italy node? Please submit your question and email address below. The message will be directed to EBRAINS Italy Node Manager.