BigNeuron is a new international initiative spearheaded by the Allen Institute for Brain Science to define and advance the state-of-the-art technologies that enable researchers to digitally reconstruct neurons in three dimensions.

The large-scale community effort will collect neuron data sets, and algorithms needed to analyze them, from around the world and “bench test” them using some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers. The project will not only result in robust algorithms and tools that reseachers can use for their own analysis, but also in an enormous set of openly available neural reconstruction data.

For more information about BigNeuron, including how to get involved and participate in workshops and hackathons, read our press release and visit their website.

Press Coverage

• Nature – Neuron encyclopaedia fires up to reveal brain secrets
• Science – Hacking the brain, one cell at a time
• NPR – Hackers Need to Teach Computers to Spot Sick Brain Cells
• GeekWire – Allen Institute for Brain Science leads project ot reconstruct 3D neural images with supercomputers
• NBC – BigNeuron Project Aims to Untangle Brain Cell Structure
• GEN – Brain Projects Get Researchers Thinking Big
• Neuron – BigNeuron: Large-Scale 3D Neuron Reconstruction from Optical Microscopy Images
• Neuroinformatics – From DIADEM to BigNeuron