Swartz Foundation Establishes Computational Neuroscience
Center
at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
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Cold Spring Harbor, New York, February
4, 2004 -- For decades, comparisons have been drawn between the human
brain and computer processing. From complex mathematical problems
to evolution-based analysis of behavior and emotion, both have
been compared as parallel systems. Yet, the larger challenge
is to understand the functioning of the three-pound collection
of neurons and synapses that form the human brain.
In a landmark move to expand the understanding of the brain, the Swartz Foundation
is establishing a research initiative at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, creating
a Swartz Center for Computational Neuroscience (SCCN) at the Long Island-based
facility. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), one of the leading neuroscience
research facilities worldwide, has pursued sophisticated neuroscience since the
late 1980s, making significant discoveries in the understanding of the fundamental
processes that govern learning and memory.
A decade ago, Jerome Swartz formed a foundation dedicated to understanding the
brain/mind connection through the integrated application of principles and methods
from physics, mathematics and computer engineering. A network of coast-to-coast
Sloan-Swartz Centers for Theoretical Neurobiology, founded by the Sloan Foundation
and today directed and supported by the Swartz Foundation, have probed great
advances in computational neuroscience. The establishment of the SCCN at Cold
Spring Harbor Laboratory adds a significant research collaborator to the six
other state-of-the-art research centers operating under Swartz Foundation support.
These centers, located at University of California at San Diego, the Salk Institute,
California Institute of Technology, New York University/Courant, University of
California at San Francisco and Brandeis, will join with CSHL to create a unique,
unparalleled coast-to-coast “virtual institute” for neuroscience
research.
The new Center at CSHL will also bring together senior neuroscience faculty — many,
leaders in that field — to direct research in system neurobiology and computational
neuroscience. Using the multi-year, multi-million dollar research support provided
by the Swartz Foundation, scientists at the 114 year-old site will be able to
address how the brain computes complex problems, continuing groundbreaking research
already underway for nearly two decades.
“With the support of the Swartz Foundation, we have made a major commitment
to the basic understanding of the human brain through this computational neuroscience
initiative,” said Bruce Stillman, President and CEO of Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory. “In collaboration with other centers in the Swartz program,
we hope to finally conquer the last frontier in biological science, the human
brain, and make meaningful strides against diseases that affect human behavior.”
Dr. Swartz, founder of the Swartz Foundation, echoed Dr. Stillman’s sentiments. “We
believe that theoretical and experimental collaboration is a powerful tool to
help comprehend the mysteries of the brain. Through a “virtual neuroscience
centers” approach, we are creating a sophisticated interdisciplinary strategy
to resolve issues of integrated brain functioning. We are delighted to add CSHL
to this collaboration, which will strengthen and expedite computational neuroscience
research.”
Swartz is the co-founder and now chief scientist emeritus of Symbol Technologies,
the Holtsville, New York-based global leader in barcode-based mobile and wireless
data transaction systems. Under his leadership as Chairman and CEO, Symbol was
awarded the National Medal of Technology in 1999. Swartz is a member of the National
Academy of Engineering, an IEEE Fellow, and holds more than 175 U.S. Patents.
Intrigued by the brain/mind relationship, he established the Swartz Foundation
in 1994.
For more information, visit www.theswartzfoundation.org.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a private, non-profit basic research and educational
institution. Under the leadership of Dr. Bruce Stillman, a member of the National
Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society (London), some 308 scientists
conduct groundbreaking research in cancer, neurobiology, plant genetics and bioinformatics.
For
more information, visit www.cshl.edu.
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