On the occasion of World Brain Day, the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), a distinguished centre of excellence in the field of health, specialising in medical care, research and education, officially announces its participation in the research consortium of the innovative European project META-BRAIN (MagnetoElectric and Ultrasonic Technology for Advanced BRAIN Modulation) research consortium, contributing significantly to the development of advanced technologies for the non-invasive regulation of brain function.
The META-BRAIN project, funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe with a budget of nearly €3.5 million, is one of the most innovative efforts worldwide to understand and treat neurological disorders through the use of magnetoelectric nanotechnologies and ultrasound. INK, as the only partner from Cyprus, brings to the project its long-standing experience in neurology, genetics, bioinformatics, and mathematical modelling of the brain.
CING’s participation was made possible through the Hop-On Facility initiative, which aims to strengthen the participation of countries with emerging research potential in large-scale European collaborations. CING’s inclusion in META-BRAIN recognises its scientific excellence and underscores its strategic importance in strengthening interdisciplinary research at the European level.
As part of the project, the scientific team of the Bioinformatics Department of CING will study how new, non-invasive technologies – such as magnetoelectric and ultrasonic interventions – can accurately influence brain function. To this end, mathematical models will be developed that simulate brain activity, from the level of a single neuron to entire neural networks. This is a pioneering approach that could change the landscape of non-invasive treatment of neurological disorders and is expected to significantly enhance the results of the META-BRAIN project.
The research effort at INK is led by Dr. Margarita Zachariou, Associate Scientist in the Bioinformatics Department, specialising in computational neuroscience, mathematical modeling of neurological diseases, and the analysis of polymorphic biomedical data. The Bioinformatics Department at INRI is a hub of innovation in the field of Personalised and Predictive Medicine, combining systems biology, artificial intelligence, and computational neuroscience.
As Dr. Zachariou states, “Our participation in META-BRAIN is a strategic opportunity to develop innovative scientific tools for understanding brain function and predicting the effects of non-invasive technologies. Through this approach, we hope to contribute to the development of more effective and personalised treatments for patients with neurological disorders.”
CING’s participation in META-BRAIN confirms its role as a leading centre for translating basic research into clinical practice and further consolidates Cyprus’ presence on the European research map. This new collaboration strengthens CING’s international footprint and highlights our country’s contribution to the global effort to improve human health through science and technology.
Source: The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics | News & Events | Media (https://tinyurl.com/582ys26f)