The goal of this program is to support collaborations between neuroscientists and researchers from other disciplines within and beyond MIT, with a view to developing new platform technologies for brain research.

Neuroscience is both driven by and limited by the technologies available for studying the brain. Methods such as fMRI, 2-photon microscopy, fluorescent proteins and multielectrode arrays (to name a few) have transformed the field over the last decade and have given us unprecedented power to observe and manipulate the nervous system. As with most fields of research, however, future progress will depend on continual technological innovation. What will these technologies of the coming decades look like, and where will they be invented?

MIT is exceptionally well placed to develop this next generation of tools. In addition to its thriving life sciences research community, MIT has unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise in disciplines ranging from engineering to chemistry to materials science and computer science. A further advantage is our proximity to the dense cluster of biopharma companies around Kendall Square, many of which were built on ideas developed at MIT.

The McGovern Institute Neurotechnology (MINT) program was created in 2006 to capitalize on these opportunities. By reaching out to researchers from other disciplines, within and beyond MIT, we hope to establish collaborations and build a community around the shared goal of technical innovation that will help to transform the future of neuroscience. With support from the Institute's founding donors Patrick and Lore McGovern, the MINT program provides seed funding for collaborative projects that seek to develop new tools and technology platforms for neuroscience research. To date, five projects have been funded in diverse fields, including genetic methods for optical recording of neural activity, new sensors for MRI, and new electrodes and electronic systems for neural prosthetic devices. (See here for a list of funded projects.)

The MINT program has also co-organized a summer seminar series on clinical applications of neurotechnology, in collaboration with the Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology (CIMIT). (See here for details.)

For more information, or to discuss possible funding opportunities, please contact MINT director Charles Jennings.