Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto
Rua Alfredo Allen, 208 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Phone: +351 226 074 900
Email: info@i3s.up.pt
WHAT WE DO
Our Lab
We integrate neuroscience, engineering and computation to study neuronal circuits and develop technologies for decoding, modelling and modulating neural activity.
Publications
Our research is consistently published in high-quality journals, and we also develop several computational tools that we share in open-source format on platforms such as GitHub.
Research Topics
Neural circuit dynamics; engineered neuronal circuits; axonal electrophysiology; microelectrode arrays; microfluidics; functional calcium imaging; human iPSC-derived neuronal cultures; microphysiological systems; computational modelling; machine learning; neuromorphic computing; neuro-electronic interfaces; closed-loop neuromodulation; Parkinson’s disease; epilepsy; glioblastoma electrophysiology and imaging.
OUR RESEARCH
OUR MAIN LINES OF RESEARCH
Neural circuits as computational systems
We investigate how neuronal populations generate, propagate and transform activity. Using engineered neuronal cultures, microfluidic devices, microelectrode arrays and imaging, we study how connectivity, cellular composition, development and stimulation shape network dynamics.
OUR MAIN LINES OF RESEARCH
Neuroengineering platforms for monitoring and modulation
We develop and use microelectrode-based and microfluidic technologies to record, stimulate and structure neuronal circuits. These platforms allow us to study axonal electrophysiology, neuron–astrocyte communication, functional connectivity and the dynamics of neuronal populations in physiological and altered conditions.
OUR MAIN LINES OF RESEARCH
Closed-loop neuromodulation and clinical translation
We develop computational and machine-learning approaches to interpret electrophysiological signals and support adaptive neuromodulation. In Parkinson’s disease, we investigate local field potentials, beta-band and spectrotemporal biomarkers, and wearable-derived motor readouts to support patient-tailored DBS programming and future adaptive DBS systems. A published review from the group describes machine learning as a route toward biomarker discovery and personalized closed-loop DBS.
HIGHLIGHTS
Science outreach: Discovering the Brain
Marina is actively involved in science outreach, coordinating an ongoing workshop, “Discovering the Brain”, that brings neuroscience to primary school students through interactive school visits. Working with a multidisciplinary team, she helps share the basics of neuroscience through hands-on activities and sparks curiosity in young minds.
Pedro Félix awarded in the Innovate Competition 17.0
NCN lab is proud to announce that Pedro Félix Alves has been awarded First Place in the Poster Presentation of the Translational Research category at the Innovate Competition during the iMed Conference® 17.0 “in recognition of their exceptional contribution to scientific innovation”.
Pedro Félix was awarded at the Symposium on Bioengineering
NCN lab is proud to announce that Pedro Félix Alves has been awarded Second Place in the Science Under 5’ Pitch Contest at the XVII Symposium on Bioengineering. This was a great opportunity to showcase our lab’s research on neuromorphic computing and spiking neural networks for the real-time detection of electrophysiological biomarkers in closed-loop neuromodulation…
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