Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering

Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering

The Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (NBE) is home to world-class multidisciplinary research in human systems neuroscience, multimodal neuroimaging, neurostimulation, experimental biophysics, and biomedical engineering. The levels of description in the research and education at the department range from molecular and cellular measures to noninvasive neuroimaging and behavioral measurements.

Our graduates assume positions in academia, industry, and government and emphasize the importance of scientific evidence in our society. Our research discoveries and innovations pave the way for new companies contributing to health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

Illustration of combined TMS and EEG methods

Research

New generations of multidisciplinary scientists and engineers are educated by engaging them with cutting-edge science and technology. Our strong emphasis on research is also reflected in our wide-ranging collaborations, the highly international composition of our staff, and a broad spectrum of funding sources.

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.

Cells images in Jarno Mäkelä lab at NBE

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

Biodesign Finland -tiimi. Kuva: Roope Kiviranta
Awards and Recognition Published:

Biodesign Finland wins the Aalto Pioneering Excellence Award 2025

The Aalto Pioneering Excellence award is granted annually to one or more teams that are doing groundbreaking work
Abstract image with swirling patterns in blue, pink, and orange hues.
For Aalto community Research & Art Published:

Make proposals to the Publication Forum about the leading publication channels in your field

Proposals for publication channels to be upgraded to level 2 may be submitted in the JUFO portal until 28 February 2026.
A large, historic building with a pink facade and grey roof in a square with people walking and cycling.
Appointments, Cooperation Published:

Aalto academics begin Unite! visiting professorships at TU Darmstadt

As part of the Unite! Visiting Professorship Programme, TU Darmstadt welcomed six visiting professors from Aalto University for the winter semester 2025/2026.
BMM
For Aalto community Research & Art Published:

The Publication Forum Steering Group: Level 3 will be abandoned, and term “Level 0” will be discontinued

The discontinuation of Level 3 will not affect the university funding calculations for the years 2025–2028.

Events

Kaleidoscope Cinema Logo
For Aalto community
Making Waves Lunch and Discussion
For Aalto community Networking, Languages and multiculturality

Stress management & work-life balance - Lunch & discussions - Making Waves 12/Dec/2025

How can we manage stress and promote wellbeing at work? In this event, you share your experiences while having lunch with peers.
Kansikuva_Seminar on Personal Grants
For Aalto community Staff trainings, Training to support research, Students

Seminar on Personal Grants, 14.1.2026

Research Services present different types of personal grants, discuss how to prepare an academic CV, and write a successful grant application.
Kansikuva 2-osaisesta seminaarisarjasta: Major EU funding instruments
For Aalto community Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, Training to support research

EU research funding and proposal preparation series, part 1/2: Major EU funding instruments for research projects, 27.1.2026

Aalto University Research Services organizes a seminar introducing major European funding instruments, focusing particularly on the framework programme Horizon Europe.

Contact us

Health Technology House

Otakaari 3 & Rakentajanaukio 2

Otakaari 3

Magnet house

Otakaari 5 I

magneettitalo

Marsio

Otakaari 2

Marsio

Nanotalo building

Puumiehenkuja 2

Nanotalo

Micronova

Tietotie 3

Micronova cleanroom kuva: Aino Huovio
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