A conversation with Brain/MINDS 2.0 on advancing global neuroscience collaboration
IBI Chair, Dr. Judy Illes, recently hosted a conversation with Drs. Ryosuke Takahashi, Makoto Sugawa, Tetsushi Kagawa and Ms. Yumiko Miyashita, to discuss the relationship between the Brain/MINDS 2.0 research program in Japan and the IBI in advancing the goals of global neuroscience. Dr. Takahashi is the Program Supervisor of Brain/MINDS 2.0 and Professor of Kyoto University Research Administration Center (KURA). Dr. Tetsushi Kagawa is Manager, and Dr. Makoto Sugawa and Ms. Yumiko Miyashita are Deputy Managers within the Division of Basic Medical Research at the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).
Overview of Brain/MINDS 2.0
Brain/MINDS 2.0 is the latest large-scale research initiative of the Multidisciplinary Frontier Brain and Neuroscience Discoveries program in Japan, and is built upon the pre-existing core research infrastructure founded by the renowned Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). Brain/MINDS 2.0’s vision is to digitally reconstruct brain structure and function, which Dr. Takahashi refers to as the Digital Brain. This initiative bridges the expertise of mathematicians, neuroscientists and clinical researchers, promoting computational neuroscience as a means to address neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Scientific priorities of Brain/MINDS 2.0
The upcoming six-year research trajectory invites participation from all Japanese universities and institutions, centering on five key pillars: (1) developing cutting-edge technologies and research foundations, (2) revealing the dynamics of higher human brain functions, (3) elucidating the mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric diseases, (4) creating digital brain models that mimic human brain functions, and (5) planting seeds of innovation to cultivate novel therapies. Brain/MINDS 2.0’s core pillars rely on major, simultaneous efforts including the development of measurement systems and technologies, marmoset research models, and clinical research databases. Achieving these grand goals relies on robust international collaborations, cooperation between basic and clinical research, and strong synergy between academia, industry and government.
Role of IBI in Brain/MINDS 2.0
Dr. Takahashi emphasizes that open science represents a global collective effort, marking a new phase in the evolution of science. In the past, experimental science led the way, but now data science is at the forefront. Dr. Takahashi posits that the ultimate goal of neuroscience is to understand humanity, with a key focus on understanding the human brain. To advance brain science, vast amounts of data from both human brains and animal models are needed. This includes collecting MRIs from diverse human populations and studying the marmoset brain to further understand brain structure and function. Dr. Takahashi highlights that we need borderless, international collaboration to accumulate the necessary data and drive data science forward. The IBI provides an ideal platform to promote this sharing and standardization of data across borders. Dr. Takahashi applauds Dr. Kenji Doya, a leading mathematical neuroscientist, for contributing significantly to the standardization of data acquisition and methodologies in Japan. By leveraging IBI’s collaborative network, these efforts can be amplified and refined, ensuring that data from various countries is harmonized and shared globally.
Dr. Illes highlights how Dr. Takahashi’s words align with IBI’s operating principle, and the quote from Dr. Alfred Njamnshi, founder of the Brain Research Africa Initiative:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Setting milestones for collaboration
The Brain/MINDS 2.0 initiative is eager to expand collaborations with the IBI. With extensive data already collected, including human MRI scans, marmoset brain data, and gene expression mapping, there is a wealth of information ready to be shared. By combining these data with data from other IBI members, new insights and discoveries will emerge and pave the way for breakthroughs in brain science.
Beyond milestones: a unified vision for global impact
Beyond specific milestones, the broader objective of collaborating with the IBI is to achieve a consensus on the purpose of international collaboration. The standardization of data acquisition and data sharing is a critical mission of the project, as it enables data science to become a driving force for the next generation of neuroscience.
The brain: an informational science machine
In response to Dr. Illes’ question of why the brain is different from other systems within the life sciences, Dr. Takahashi explains that the brain stands apart due to its role as a machine that processes information. Biology and medical science, at their core, are driven by the understanding of information—whether genetic, neurological, or biochemical. To understand the brain is to understand the information that defines us as human beings. Brain science, as an informational science, provides essential insights into what makes us who we are, underscoring the importance of viewing the brain through this lens.
Overall, the interview highlighted the Brain/MINDS 2.0 initiative’s bold vision for the future of neuroscience in Japan and globally, and emphasized the crucial roles of a borderless neuroscience community, unified data science, and creative technological innovation in shaping the field.
Dr. Illes and Dr. Takahashi conclude the interview with a fascinating delve into the intersection of the brain and ethics, summarized in an upcoming post.