Computational Neuroscience in Europe

[Erdi Peter]

COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE in EUROPE:  Where we are and where to go?


	Within the framework of the Forum of European Neuroscience held in
Berlin (27 June - 1 July 1998) a special workshop "Spectrum of
Computational Neuroscience in Europe" was organized (see:
http://www.hirn.uni-duesseldorf.de/~rk/ena98sw5.htm).

	In addition to the Workshop, an informal discussion on
Computational Neuroscience was held. This report summarizes the central
ideas: 

	The fast growing field of Computational Neuroscience plays an
important role in integrating the results of structural,
functional and dynamic approaches to the nervous system. In Europe, an
active community is emerging investigating structure/function
relationships of the nervous system with computational tools at
subcellular, cellular, network, and system levels.  

	To enhance the growth of this field in Europe it was thought that
the following specific undertakings should be considered:
	
1. To make a tentative list of the European Computational Neuroscience
(cns) labs and of their webpages;

2. To hear about the position of the cns labs within the national
neuroscience communities;
	
3. To search for funding programs;
	
4. To think on the formation of a network of European laboraories (i) to
apply for common grants; (ii) to organize a regular series of cns
meetings.
	
5. To consider the creation and utilization of Neuroscience databases as a
joint effort in collaboration with experimentalists. 	 
	The participants were well aware of not representing the field of
Computational Neuroscience in Europe and of not having any mandate. It was
felt, however, that this initiative could be a first step towards the
creation of a more representative voice. 

	The participants agreed that the creation of a network
among the European computational neuroscientists would be useful. 
We would highly appreciate your input at this point.  In the first
step we should like to make a tentative list of Computational
Neuroscience laboratories as mentioned in 1. Any pointers to
relevant web sites or email contacts are most welcome.  

	Concerning the second step we should like to hear if and how the
field of Computational Neuroscience is publicly represented in different
countries and whether it is considered useful to initiate the foundation
of such sections within the national (and thereby the European)
neuroscience societies. 	
	

	Prof. Peter Erdi
	Dept. Biophysics
	KFKI Research Institute for 
	Particle and Nuclear Physics
	of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
	H-1525 Budapest, P.O. Box 49, Hungary
	Tel: (36-1)-395-92-20/2505 ext.

Fax: (36-1)-395-9151; 
	http://www.rmki.kfki.hu/biofiz/biophysics.html
	
	Dr. Rolf Kotter
	Center for Anatomy and Brain Research
	Heinrich Heine University, 
	Moorenstr. 5, D-40225 Dusseldorf, FRG 
	Tel./Fax: +49-211-81-12095
	http://www.hirn.uni-duesseldorf.de/~rk/