28 Dec 2009 07:14

Tianjin universities set up neural engineering research center

Shanghai. December 28. INTERFAX-CHINA - Tianjin University and Tianjin Medical University have jointly set up a neural engineering research center, Tianjin University announced on Dec. 23.

According to the announcement, Tianjin Neural Engineering Research Center will focus on neural rehabilitation research to improve the quality of life and neural functions of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and depression. In addition, the center will look into the use of neuro-imaging and neural transducer technology into areas such as aerospace medicine.

World-renowned neural engineering science expert Dr. He Bin, an honorary professor at Tianjin University, will head the center. At present, he is also the director of the University of Minnesota's Center for Neuroengineering in the U.S.

The new research center will integrate the research resources of Tianjin University and Tianjin Medical University and facilitate international academic exchanges, the announcement said. The two universities are among the first institutions in China to conduct neural engineering research and are currently specialized in research on brain-computer interfaces, functional electrical stimulation as well as cognitive obstacles in senile dementia and epilepsy.

It will be the second such center in China, after Tsinghua University's neural engineering research institute set up in 2004.

- KZ