Institute for Neuroscience Research
The Institute for Neuroscience Research (Alexandrian: Institut de recherche en neurosciences; Martino: Instituto de Investigación en Neurociencias; Wechua: Yuyay Yachay Wasi, IIN) is a national research institute for neuroscience in Nouvelle Alexandrie, located in the Vida Science Park in Cárdenas, the federal capital. It is officially part of the Department of Research and Development and studies the nervous system across scales, from molecular and cellular neuroscience to cognition, neural engineering, and clinical translation. Founded in 1730 AN, it is the youngest of the five national research centers in the science park. It employs about 500 researchers, including postgraduates from the University of Cárdenas.
History
The IIN was established in 1730 AN as part of the Vida Science Park expansion funded by the National Health Plan, which created thirteen new companies in the park along with the institute as a new national centre for research. Its founding consolidated neuroscience work that had previously been divided between the Federal Center for Neurology, the Federal Center for Mental Health, and the neuroscience groups of the Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research.
As the newest of the park's five national research centers, the IIN was built around a purpose-designed neuroimaging and neural-engineering campus rather than assembled from older laboratories. Its early work focused on brain mapping, the biology of neurodegenerative disease, and the development of neural interfaces in cooperation with private neurotechnology companies in the park.
The institute is overseen by the Federal Science & Research Council, which appoints its Director-General, and works closely with the National Health Institute on the clinical side of its research.
Research
The IIN's research spans the nervous system from single cells to behaviour, with an emphasis on translating laboratory findings into clinical and technological applications. Its work is organized into five core research areas:
- Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Neural Engineering and Brain-Computer Interfaces
- Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration
- Computational and Clinical Neuroscience
The IIN operates a national neuroimaging facility with high-field MRI, PET, and magnetoencephalography suites, and maintains the National Brain Bank, a repository of tissue samples used in research on neurodegenerative and psychiatric disease. It collaborates with academic institutions, including the University of Cárdenas, with the National Health Institute's centers for neurology and mental health, and with private neurotechnology firms based in the park, among them NeuroLumen Technologies.
Major projects over the years
- Proyecto Conectoma - a national effort to map the structural and functional connectome of the human brain, producing a reference atlas used across Nouvelle Alexandrie. Completed in 1740 AN.
- Proyecto Yuyay - a long-term study of memory, ageing, and the early markers of neurodegenerative disease. Completed in 1746 AN.
- Projet Interface Neuronale - development of brain-computer interfaces for people with paralysis, carried out with NeuroLumen Technologies. Completed in 1750 AN.
- Proyecto NeuroRegenera - research into neuroregeneration therapies for spinal and brain injury, in partnership with the Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research. Ongoing as of 1754 AN.
- Proyecto Quyllur - a study of the neurological effects of Lyserium, a psychoactive compound derived from Alexandrium, examining its influence on neural connectivity and synaptic plasticity alongside its risks of dependency and neurological harm, in support of the national review of the drug for medicinal use. Ongoing as of 1755 AN.
Layout
The IIN occupies a compact modern campus in the eastern section of Vida Science Park, organized around a central building and three specialized wings.
- The Central Office houses the administrative headquarters, boardrooms, a public reception hall, and an auditorium for conferences and symposia.
- The Neuroimaging Centre holds the institute's high-field MRI, PET, and magnetoencephalography suites, along with data-processing facilities.
- The Neural Engineering Wing is dedicated to brain-computer interfaces, neural prosthetics, and neurotechnology, with electronics and prototyping labs.
- The Neurobiology Wing houses cellular and molecular laboratories, behavioural testing suites, and the National Brain Bank.
Organization
The IIN is overseen by a Director-General, appointed by the Federal Science & Research Council and the Department of Research and Development. It is further structured into four main research divisions, two service departments, and one executive office.
- Director-General
- Chief Operating Officer
- Department of Administration
- Department of Facilities
- Deputy Director for Research
- Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience Division
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience Division
- Neural Engineering Division
- Clinical Neuroscience Division
- Chief Operating Officer
Support departments manage finance, HR, technical services, IT infrastructure, and public relations. The IIN also operates three advisory boards composed of national and international experts:
- Neuroethics Advisory Council
- Scientific Advisory Council
- Clinical Research Advisory Council
List of (deputy) directors
- Dr. Aurelio Ferrán (1730 AN-1742 AN)
- Dr. Chaska Mamani (1742 AN-1753 AN)
- Dr. Colette Aubert (1753 AN-Present)
Deputy Directors
- Dr. Renzo Salazar (1730 AN-1741 AN)
- Dr. Illari Condori (1741 AN-1750 AN)
- Dr. Guarionex Rivera (1750 AN-1757 AN)
- Dr. Beatriz Salgado (1757 AN-Present)
