Call for Proposal of Research Project FY2017-2018
Call for Proposal of Research Project FY2017-2018
We are recruiting two years research proposals for propelling the research project focusing on “Understanding brain plasticity on body representations to promote their adaptive functions.” We look forward to your application.
Abstract of the Research Project
| Term of Project | FY2014-2018 |
|---|---|
| Title of the Project | Understanding brain plasticity on body representations to promote their adaptive functions |
| Number of Research Area | 4603 |
| Head Investigator | Jun OTA, Professor, The University of Tokyo, Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering (RACE) |
In this research area, we aim to elucidate the neural mechanisms of body representation in the brain and to apply these findings to model-based rehabilitation interventions. In order to do this, we will attempt to combine brain science and rehabilitation medicine by using systems engineering.
Thus we set new three groups of transdisciplinary research.
Research group A03 (corresponding to A01 and A02) will study a broad range of topics within brain science with respect to both animals and humans. This includes evaluation of the effects of various types of bodily (i.e. sensory, motor, and postural) and neuronal interventions, examination of changes in body representations in relation to brain (nerve) injury, development of tools, and identification of neuronal markers that represents changes in body representations, among other topics.
Research group B03 (corresponding to B01 and B02) will focus on systems engineering approaches. This includes mathematical modeling of the slow dynamics of body representation in the brain with the incorporation of knowledge of brain science and rehabilitation medicine, model construction by using data mining or a system identification methodology, and model verification experiments on cognitive or sensorimotor association.
Research group C03 (corresponding to C01 and C02) will conduct research related to physical medicine and rehabilitation. This includes collecting and analyzing “big data” from the clinical field contributing to model-based rehabilitation, modeling of the adaptive process of body representation in patients with sensory-motor impairment, and finally establishing a new rehabilitation method with respect to body representation. Target areas for rehabilitation include damages to the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerve, as well as musculoskeletal and sensory system diseases.Young researchers are welcomed in each research group.
| Research Group |
Upper Limit of Annual Budget (Million yen) |
Number of research projects scheduled to be selected |
|
Studies on brain science in relation to body representations in the brain |
4.5 | 4 |
|
Studies on systems engineering in relation to body representations in the brain |
4.5 | 4 |
|
Studies on rehabilitation science in relation to body representations in the brain |
4.5 | 4 |
Link
Further information about application procedures and application forms will be found in MEXT website (in Japanese)
