Scientists to develop computerized copy of brain

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA: Dr. Henry Markram, Director of the Swiss Federal Institute's (EPFL) Brain Mind Institute, said that the mysteries of the mind can be solved soon with the help of a computer.

After extending a partnership with Thiruvananthapuram Technopark-based Software Solutions and Services company PIT Solutions, today he said the much-famed Blue Brain Project of the institute would help treat mental illness with a super computer.

“Mental illness, memory and perception, which are triggered by neurons and electric signals, will soon be treated with a supercomputer that models all the brain's 100,000,000,000,000 synapses,” said Dr. Markram, who heads the Blue Brain project. “The mysteries of the mind can be solved... soon,” he added.

The project involves an attempt to build a computerized copy of a brain, starting with a rat’s brain, and then progressing to a human brain, inside one of the world’s most powerful computers. This, it is hoped, would bring into being a mind that would be able to think, reason, express will, lay down memories and perhaps even experience love, anger, sadness, pain and joy.

The project will be extended all support related to IT by PIT Solutions. Elaborating that a new chapter has been opened in its partnership with Dr Henry’s Blue Brain project, Rafeek K Mohammed, CEO and partner and Thomaskutty Sebastian, head of business development and Partner, PIT Solutions, said the new partnership would enable PIT Solutions to enter an exciting and niche area in software development business.

It would also give excellent opportunities for highly talented software professionals of the state to be involved in ground breaking software engineering projects, according to PIT Solutions. The team size at PIT Solutions is expected to grown in significant numbers in the next years.

Dr. Markram elaborated on the project in India at a talk organized as part of the new announcement of the new partnership.

As part of the new partnership, PIT Solutions would deploy its IT infrastructure and expertise in supporting the various research programmes that are being undertaken as part of the Blue Brain Project. PIT Solutions said the new project is a challenge for the company considering that the Blue Brain project is being keenly watched in the international arena.

PIT Solutions, which is into its 10th year of operations, has seen hundreds of small, medium and large projects executed with diverse, cutting-edge technologies. The focus on these technologies has led to formation of small business units namely - .NET Lab, PHP Factory and Java Venture.

PIT Solutions excel in building web portals, in implementing content management systems, and in complex workflow applications.