2010-COLAMN 2010: From Cortical Microcircuits to Brain-Inspired Computing Hardware

This workshop is an open meeting of the UK-wide research cluster COLAMN. Objective of COLAMN is to explore novel computing architectures for cognitive systems based on the laminar microcircuitry of the neocortex. This serves two major goals: Firstly, to understand better the structure and functioning of cortical circuits, and, secondly, to exploit computational principles found in the brain in cognitive software and neuromorphic hardware.

These challenges require an interdisciplinary approach integrating scientists across different disciplines -- experimental neuroscience, computational modeling, and electrical engineering. Accordingly, at the workshop we will have a mix of presentations regarding

• Neuroanatomy of the laminar cortical architecture
• Neurophysiology of cortical microcircuits
• Advanced data analysis methods
• Large-scale computer models of cortical function
• Models of synaptic plasticity and learning
• Cognitive modeling using large-scale spiking neuron networks
• Neuromorphic hardware design

Invited Speakers (mostly confirmed)

• Gleb Basalyga (University of Plymouth)
• Vincenzo Crunelli (University of Cardiff)
• Sue Denham (University of Plymouth)
• Rodney Douglas (University of Zurich)
• Piotr Dudek (University of Manchester)
• Yves Fregnac (UNIC CNRS)
• Steve Furber (University of Manchester)
• Michael Haeusser (Wolfson Institute, UCL)
• Marcelo Montemurro (University of Manchester)
• Arnd Roth (Wolfson Institute, UCL)
• Mark van Rossum (University of Edinburgh)
• Jan Schnupp (University of Oxford)
• Alex Thomson (University of London)
• Thomas Wennekers (University of Plymouth)
• David Willshaw (University of Edinburgh)

Further Details

Date and time

1 Sept 2010 9:00 to 2. Sept 17:00

Venue

Jury's Inn, Plymouth, United Kingdom

Registration

To register please send an email to thomas.wennekers@plymouth.ac.uk

Registration Deadline

15. August 2010

Registration fee

There will a fee of 100GBP for this meeting which will cover all meals and refreshments. Payment details will be distributed later.

Meals and Refreshments

Free morning and afternoon refreshments, buffet lunch on both days, and a workshop dinner will be provided at the venue for registered participants.

Travel Information

For directions to Plymouth see HERE.

Accommodation

Participants are asked to make their own accommodation arrangements. We have allocated a limited number of rooms at a reduced rate (69GBP) at Jury's Inn. Please mention that you book for a university conference if you book at Jury's Inn: plymouth_reservations@jurysinns.com, +44(0)1752 631000; Mo-Fr 8am-6pm. Further travel information can be found here.

Contact:

Thomas Wennekers
Centre for Robotic and Neural Systems
The University of Plymouth
PL4 8AA Plymouth, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 1752 584917
Email:thomas.wennekers@plymouth.ac.uk

Support:

This workshop is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, EPSRC

   © 2010 by -thowe-