The Human Brain Project: end of an era and legacy for the future

(Versione italiana nell'articolo correlato) With the release of the final report, the long journey of Human Brain Project (HBP) flagship has come to an end. It is now time to consider its results, implications, and the legacy: EBRAINS.

The HBP is one of the most ground-breaking research and innovation initiatives undertaken by the EU in the most fascinating and complex area – the human brain. Between 2013-2023, the HBP flagship brought together more than 500 scientists, engineers and clinicians from all over Europe. They shared a vision of unravelling the mysteries of the human brain through advanced computational methods and cutting-edge technologies. This interdisciplinary collaboration resulted in a paradigm shift in brain research and in ground-breaking developments in neuroscience, computer science, robotics and data management.

The University of Pavia has taken part to the HBP since the foundation till the end. The Neurophysiology Unit of the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, directed by prof. Egidio D’Angelo and supported by the Co-PIs Claudia Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott, Claudia Casellato, Fulvia Palesi, Lisa Mapelli, Francesca Prestori, Stefano Masoli, Simona Tritto, covered pivotal roles coordinating critical sectors in computational modelling and experimental neuroscience, driving the emerging field of multiscale brain modelling.

The HBP led us more than 100 peer reviewed publications on high impact journals, the renovation and expansion of experimental facilities, the enrolment of new research personnel, and the development of new models, concepts, and tools. As a whole, HBP generated a remarkable drive on the whole university system.

Thanks to its brain simulation and modelling algorithms, the HBP pioneered early and accurate diagnosis of brain-related conditions and personalized therapeutic strategies for brain diseases, ranging from neurodegenerative to psychiatric disorders.

The HBP has also demonstrated significant technological progress in brain-inspired AI and neuromorphic computing as well as in cognitive robotics systems, which are of particularly high relevance for industry.

Finally, the HBP succeeded in developing the unprecedented digital EBRAINS Research Infrastructure. The EBRAINS platform provides researchers with access to high-performance computing resources and advanced analytical tools for sharing and analysing vast amounts of neuroscientific data.

EBRAINS is now used by more than 10 thousand users from more than 1500 research and medical institutes around the world. EBRAINS is now set to be the source of many more ground-breaking discoveries, in close cooperation with the planned European Brain Health Partnership, and the new Virtual Human Twin initiative.

The University of Pavia has been actively contributing to major HBP fields including neurophysiology, brain modelling, AI, neuromorphic computing and robotics, and is now taking the challenge of the HBP legacy.

UniPv is a member of EBRAINS and coordinates brain simulation in the Scientific Technical Committee. Despite its conclusion, the HBP has started for our university a virtuous cycle that is driving new projects, including EBRAINS2.0, Virtual Brain Twin, and TEF-Health of the EU Horizon programmes, as well as EBRAINS-Italy and MNESYS of the EU-MUR PNRR.

Important fallouts of the HBP are also a new master course in neuro-AI, the Digital Neuroscience Centre based in IRCCS C. Mondino Foundation, participation in national projects of Regione Lombardia and Centro Fermi and MUR, and numerous collaborations with universities and research neurological hospitals of the RIN network for the generation of digital brain twins.

The HBP successes of the past decade and its lively continuation affirm that we are core in the new era of digital neuroscience, one that holds immense promise for science, medicine, engineering and the well-being of citizens across Europe and beyond. As we consider this potential for new discoveries, the importance of continued support and investment in digital brain research becomes ever clearer.

The research team takes the occasion to thank the Dean and Delegates of the University of Pavia for unconditionally trusting the initiative, the staff of the Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, the Research and Third Mission Service, and all the Central Administration for the continued and untiring support.