Human Brainnetome Atlas Guided Neuromodulation Methods and Device for Brain Diseases

Tianzi Jiang, Professor, Director of  Beijing Key Laboratory of Brainnetome and Brain-Computer Interface

Abstract：Brain atlas is an indispensable tool for studying the relationship between brain structure and cognitive function. We proposed to create a new brain atlas - the Brainnetome atlas, using brain connectivity profiles. The Brainnetome atlas lays the foundation for research in brain science and brain-inspired intelligence, and opens a new avenue not only for the study of brain science and brain diseases, but also for brain-inspired intelligence. In this lecture, we first introduce the research background and content of the Brainnetome, including the definition and the main research directions of the Brainnetome, the idea of creating the Brainnetome atlas, and the essential differences from existing brain atlas. Then, we will introduce the application of the Brainnetome atlas in elucidating brain cognitive mechanisms and precise diagnosis of brain diseases. We will also introduce the challenges and solutions of neuromodulation robots guided by the Brainnetome atlas for precise treatment of brain diseases. Finally, a summary and perspective on future research directions are provided.

Tianzi Jiang is Professor and Director of Beijing Key Laboratory of Brainnetome and Brain-Computer Interface at the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Director of Xiaoxiang Institute of Brain Health. He obtained PhD degree at Zhejiang University and BSc degree at Lanzhou University. His research interests include neuroimaging, Brainnetome, digital twin brain, neuromodulation methods and device, and their clinical applications in brain disorders. He was Chair of Organization of Human Brain Mapping. He was elected a member of the Academy of Europe, a fellow of IEEE, IAPR and AIMBE. He has published over 350 peer-review journal papers. He is the recipient of Hermann von Helmholtz Award, Turan Itil Career Contribution Award, and Natural Science Award of China.

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AI-Aided Design of Artificial RNA Molecules and Drugs

Jin-Wu Nam, Professor, Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract：The artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted design of synthetic, optimized RNA elements provides a new innovative strategy for the development of cancer/infectious disease vaccines and new RNA drugs. Recently, many related landmark studies and patents on the artificial features have been filed and occupied by a few companies and academia. In this talk, I will discuss our recent progress in AI-assisted design of synthetic RNA vaccines with some ongoing studies and the future prospects for intelligent design of new RNA drugs for disease prevention. Our new deep neural network model for designing next-generation RNAi for RNA drugs as well as advanced CRISPR sgRNAs for genome editing will be presented. In addition, recent research trends in the field of advanced biotechnology and the Advanced Biotechnology Initiative announced by the government will be briefly introduced.

Dr. Jin-Wu Nam is a professor in the Department of Life Science at Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea, and is also a director of next-generation biotechnology division at the National Research Foundation of Korea. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the Department of Biology at Yonsei University, he pursued an interdisciplinary program in bioinformatics at Seoul National University (SNU), where he was advised by Prof. Byoung-Tak Zhang and co-advised by Prof. V. Narry Kim. During his postdoctoral research in Prof. David Bartel’s lab at the Whitehead Institute/MIT, he studied novel forms of gene regulation by miRNAs and discovered new long noncoding RNAs across various species. In September 2012, he joined the faculty at Hanyang University. His lab has since been investigating the hidden wonders of the genome's "outback" (i.e., the non-coding genome) through both computational and experimental approaches. More recently, his lab has developed an advanced bioinformatics framework aimed at creating highly reliable and efficient genomic tools. In addition, they are pioneering AI-based computational methods to analyze the functions of non-coding elements and design synthetic molecules for applications in engineering biology and high-throughput screening. From 2021 to 2023, he served as deputy director of the Hanyang Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (HY-IBB). In December 2023, Dr. Nam was elected as a Director (PM) of Next-Generation Biotechnology division at the Directorate for National Strategic R&D Programs of the National Research Foundation (NRF) in Korea, where he will serve a two-year term. In January 2025, he was elected as a member of the Presidential Bio Committee of Korea.

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