Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering

Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering

We aim at understanding system-level dynamic functions of the human brain, mind, and body. The research, enabled by state-of-the-art technology and computational methods, leads to discoveries and technological breakthroughs that contribute to health and wellbeing. We bring together systems and cognitive neuroscience, biophysics, and biomedical engineering.

Illustration of combined TMS and EEG methods

Research

We focus on biomedical engineering, biophysics, and brain research. We combine experimental and computational methods and develop algorithms as well as new technologies to tackle major problems in human well-being and medical diagnostics. The levels of description range from molecular and cellular measures to noninvasive neuroimaging and behaviour. New generations of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers are educated by engaging them with cutting-edge science and technology.

The grand challenges in brain research are in better understanding the function of the human brain in health and disease, as studied in well-controlled and increasingly complex experimental settings, including during social interaction.

Ala-Laurila Lab

We study novel signal processing mechanisms and their adaptive dynamics at the synaptic and cellular-element level across the entire neural circuit of the retina.

Ala-Laurila Lab

Attention and Memory

In the Attention and Memory group, we investigate the neural mechanisms underlying attention and memory and the development of executive functions in healthy children, adolescents and adults, and in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Aalto University/Attention and memory group

Brain and Mind Laboratory

We study human cognitive, social, and affective functions in health and disorders.

Aalto University/Brain and Mind Laboratory

Cellular Biophysics

Our main interest is in the molecular mechanisms of photoreceptor signaling and increasingly in the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in certain retinal diseases.

Aalto-yliopisto, liput / kuvaaja: Aino Huovio

Empathy Building Neuro-lab

Empathy is a multifaceted and elusive phenomenon. Our multi-national lab investigates empathy at multiple levels.

Illustration by Yoni Levy; the “Virtual Reality” icon by Nikita Kozin is taken from thenounproject.com (CC attribution), and slightly modified.

Engineered Nanosystems

Our work aims at generating new insight on the physics and operation of photonic devices to improve their performance and to develop predictive physical models in close collaboration with experimentalists and enterprises.

Aalto-yliopisto, liput / kuvaaja: Aino Huovio

Imaging Language

Our group's work is necessary for a scientific description of language processing in a healthy human brain, but essential in providing the groundwork for an informed and efficient description and treatment of developmental and acquired language disorders.

Aalto University/Imaging language

Medical Image Computing

We develop AI tools for automatically analyzing medical imaging data.

"Accurate and robust whole-head segmentation from magnetic resonance images for individualized head modeling“ by Puonti et al. NeuroImage (2020), licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND

Medical Ultrasonics Laboratory (MEDUSA)

The main research goal of MEDUSA is to create novel technologies exploiting non-linear ultrasonics for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

MEDUSA

MEG-MRI Brain Imaging Group

In the MEG-MRI group, we develop techniques and instrumentation for neuroscience and medicine, electromagnetic neuroimaging in particular.

MEG-MRI prototype and application

Molecular Nanoengineering

The Molecular Nanoengineering group operates at the interface between nanoscience, molecular self-assembly, DNA nanotechnology and nanoplasmonics with particular focus on DNA-based artificial molecular systems with functionalities tailored for biosensing, nanophotonics and biomimetics.

Molecular Nanoengineering

Multimodal Imaging of Aging

We study cognitive aging, and the structural and functional changes that take place in the brain as a consequence of normal aging and neurodegeneration. To do so, we combine functional measures from magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG), with structural measures based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Illustration by Mia Liljeström. Five images of the human brain seen from different angles.

Near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging group (NIRS)

The near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging (NIRSI) group at NBE is developing frequency domain instrumentation for High-Density Diffuse Optical Tomography (HD-DOT) primarily for neuroimaging applications.

Aalto-yliopisto, liput / kuvaaja: Aino Huovio

Neuroimaging methods group (NIMEG)

We work at the intersection of neuroscience and neurotechnology by developing novel measurement and analysis methods for studying human brain structure and function, as well as applying these methods to address important and challenging research questions in both basic and clinical neuroscience.

Left: OPM and SQUID sensor layouts. Right: OPM-MEG measurement session.

Sensorimotor Systems Neuroscience (MOTOR) group

We study structure and function of the healthy and diseased human sensorimotor system.

Sensorimotor systems group photos by Harri Piitulainen

Single-Molecule Dynamics in Cells

We work at the interface between physics, chemistry, and biology.

Two groups of cells with an elongated shape.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS group conducts research on three interconnected areas: the group carries out neurophysiological experiments and develops methods for TMS–EEG signal analysis as well as instrumentation for TMS.

ConnecToBrain project, illustration by Otto Olavinen

Translational Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (Salmi Lab)

Salmi's Lab for naturalistic neuroscience, attention, and ADHD research

Picture showing the Translational Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratoty's research direction

Teaching

The Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering provides courses on Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral levels.

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Lecture on the BEST course in Life Science Technologies on 8 October 2019. Photo by Jaakko Järvinen.
Brain and Mind Symposium 2019 in Dipoli, Otaniemi. Photo by Jaakko Järvinen.

Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind

The Doctoral Programme Brain & Mind (B&M) is a doctoral education network for students at the University of Helsinki and Aalto University whose thesis work relates to the study of brain and mind.

Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering
Students in front of whiteboard, photo by Unto Rautio / Aalto Material bank

Courses

Courses taught at NBE listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering
TMS-EEG Summer School 2016, photo by Lari Koponen

Special courses

Summer schools, workshops and special courses taught at NBE listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering

Aalto NeuroImaging (ANI) Infrastructure

ANI research infrastructure houses three functional neuroimaging modalities, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at Advanced Magnetic Imaging (AMI) Centre, magnetoencephalography (MEG) at MEG Core and Aalto Behavioral Laboratory (ABL).

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ANI
Aalto Yliopisto Brain Centre

Aalto Brain Centre (ABC)

ABC is a neuroscience and neurotechnology initiative of the Aalto University. ABC is a thematic center, formed by research teams of several departments of the Aalto University School of Science (Aalto SCI), including the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering. ABC aims to stimulate synergy and collaboration in research on systems-level neuroscience, neuroimaging, and neurotechnology.

Learn more!

Seven people wearing laboratory coats in a hospital room surrounded with medical devices

Biodesign Finland

Biodesign Finland is a strategic initiative within the Aalto University School of Science, hosted by the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (NBE). Biodesign Finland is organized together with Aalto University, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) and University of Oulu in collaboration with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.

Biodesign Finland is a need-driven medical technology innovation and training program, which produces experts in health technology, solutions to healthcare, and new business. 

Biodesign aims to offer the best starting point for creating medical technology for the benefit of the patient globally.

Learn more!

News

Shaking up tech 2023
Campus, Research & Art, Studies Published:

Shaking up Tech welcomes high school students to campuses in January

The keynote speaker this time is neuroscientist Minna Huotilainen. The purpose of the event is to introduce the field of technology to underrepresented groups.
From left: Taras Redchuk, Chris Hayes, Aakeel Wagay, Ada Pajari, Dan Noel, Eveliny Nery and Jarno Mäkelä. Photo: Mikko Raskinen.
Appointments Published:

‘Off to a flying start’ – a new research team explores bacteria that thrive in extreme conditions

Jarno Mäkelä joined Aalto’s Department of Neuroscience and Medical Engineering as Assistant Professor of Biophysics in early September, together with research fellow Taras Redchuk, postdoctoral researchers Dan Noel, Eveliny Nery, doctoral researchers Ada Pajari and Aakeel Wagay, and research assistant Chris Hayes. They were accompanied by equipment, funding from the Academy of Finland and an ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council.
kielikerho
For Aalto community Campus Published:

Polish up your language skills this autumn

Several language initiatives offer Aaltonians a chance to learn and improve their language skills free-of-charge on campus starting September
The brain in love: the image shows brain areas that activate in association with the most intensely felt forms of interpersonal
Press releases Published:

Finding love: Study reveals where love lives in the brain

Researchers from Aalto University utilised functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity while subjects mulled brief stories related to six different types of love.

Events

Introduction to research data management
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research

Introduction to Research Data Management, Oct 9, 2024

Get to know the basics of RDM with Data Agent, Dr. Essi Viitanen from Research Services.
Research funding seminar series, part 1/3: Major EU funding instruments for research projects
For Aalto community Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, Training to support research

Research funding seminar series, part 1/3: Major EU funding instruments for research projects, 9.10.2024

Aalto University Research Services organizes a seminar introducing major European funding instruments, focusing particularly on the framework programme Horizon Europe.
DMPs: A hybrid workshop for researchers
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research, Workshops

Data Management Plans: A Hybrid Workshop for Researchers, Oct 11, 2024

Learn about writing a DMP in this hybrid workshop with Information Specialist Lucie Hradecká and Data Agent Enrico Glerean.
ABC of open access publishing
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, Support for teams, Training to support research

ABC of Open Access Publishing, Oct 23, 2024

Learn about Open Access publishing with Information Specialists Katri Seitsonen and Eeva Savolainen from Research Services.

Contact us

Health Technology House

Otakaari 3 & Rakentajanaukio 2

Otakaari 3

Magnet house

Otakaari 5 I

magneettitalo

Nanotalo building

Puumiehenkuja 2

Nanotalo

Micronova

Tietotie 3

Micronova cleanroom kuva: Aino Huovio
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