BCAM launches its new NeuroMath Lab

Serafim Rodrigues is the IP of NeuroMath and will collaborate with the BERC Achucarro centre for the research lines

Basque Center for Applied Mathematics - BCAM launches its new NeuroMath Lab at its campus in Leioa (Bizkaia). This laboratory is part of the equipment with which Serafim Rodrigues, Ikerbasque researcher at BCAM, will work in his research on neurons suffering from epilepsy and will collaborate with BERC research centre Achucarro, the Basque centre for neuroscience. This laboratory is co-funded by the State Research Agency (Agencia Estatal de Investigación) through grant EQC2019-005376-P.

NeuroMath Lab consists of equipment with different components to form a next-generation dynamic clamp electrophysiology system for the observation of hidden invariant states.

To understand the research, we can start by explaining what Deep Brain Stimulator is, which serves to correct pathological electro-chemical signals in the brain, for example in patients with Parkinson's disease. The problem with this stimulation is that it does not work for patients suffering from epilepsy, as in their case they are intermittent episodes, which do not occur all the time.

The purpose of the research being carried out by Rodrigues is to develop a mathematical and computational algorithm that allows us to know when a person is going to suffer an epileptic attack. Connected to deep brain stimulator, the aim is to detect the moment at which the part of the brain damaged by epilepsy goes from a normal state to an epileptic state, and thus be able to stimulate the neurons slightly to prevent an epileptic attack.

Thanks to NeuroMath Lab, it will be possible to carry out the first part of the research, where the mathematical and computational algorithm is being developed. 

About Serafim Rodrigues

Prof. Serafim Rodrigues. He has a unique interdisciplinary background in Computer Science, Electronics, Mathematics and the Neurosciences (both theoretical and experimental). He received his PhD in Applied Mathematics (2007), held a Research Associate position at the University of Bristol (2007- 2008) and a joint Research Associate position between CNRS and Inria (2008-2010). He subsequently secured a research fellowship (2010-2012), was offered a Lecturer and Researcher position at Plymouth University (2012-2017) and finally was awarded an Ikerbasque Research Professor position (2017- Date) hosted by BCAM (Basque Centre for Applied Mathematics). He has established a research group at the interface between Mathematical, Computational and Experimental Neuroscience (MCEN). The MCEN group falls under BCAM’s strategic research area of Mathematical Modelling with Multidisciplinary Applications.

About Achucarro

Achicarro is one of the BERC research centres fostered and recognised by the Basque Government to develop excellent science in strategic areas of research for the Basque Country and Europe.

Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience is a research centre fostered by Ikerbasque and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), which is devoted to the training and research in the biology of the neuron-glia interactions and is committed to equal opportunities. With all this, it aims to contribute, in collaboration with other agents, in the discovery of new therapies for brain diseases.

Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience is a research centre promoted by Ikerbasque and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), which is dedicated to training and research in the biology of neuron-glia interactions and is committed to equal opportunities. With all this, it aims to contribute, in collaboration with other agents, to the discovery of new therapies for brain diseases.