The EBRAINS 2.0 project is developing new tools and services available on the infrastructure for the benefit of the scientific community. Here is a selection of highlights from the project so far.
Enhanced brain atlases with new data
The human, rodent, and primate atlases available on EBRAINS have been made more powerful. New brain regions have been added to the human brain atlas maps, and a four dimensional “DeMBA” atlas for mouse development from postnatal day 4 to 56 has been developed. Datasets which cover cell densities, functional signatures, connectivity, sulcus segmentations, and fibre bundles have been integrated with the atlases, and will be made available to the scientific community soon.
Platform for Human Imaging now connected to EBRAINS
The Platform for Human Imaging (PHI) - which has been introduced under EBRAINS 2.0 - allows users to share and analyse large brain imaging datasets in a safe and GDPR-compliant way. In collaboration with the European Academy of Neurology (EAN), work is ongoing to collect multimodal neuroimaging, clinical, and biomarker data related to conditions like stroke, glioma, and Parkinson’s disease across several European centres. A protocol which will serve as a model for the accurate and consistent collection of this kind of data is also being finalised.
Key features will be extracted from the data – making it easier to identify similarities and differences between brain scans – and shared open access via the PHI on EBRAINS.
Improved brain models
The development of advanced simulation and modelling tools on EBRAINS such as NEST, Arbor, and The Virtual Brain has made it easier to build more realistic brain models. Eight ready-to-use brain model templates are available, which are modular, configurable, and integrated with other EBRAINS tools and services. The models allow users to test hypotheses where real-world experiments might not be feasible. The models help to further our understanding of how the brain works but also enable applications in precision medicine. A new project selected through an EBRAINS 2.0 Open Call aims to develop a virtual brain twin model for dementia with Lewy bodies – which could support earlier and more accurate diagnosis – using the EBRAINS simulation and modelling tools.
The virtual brain twin model – along with a representative synthetic dataset – will be integrated into EBRAINS.
New datasets in the EBRAINS Knowledge Graph
Over 120 new datasets have been added to the EBRAINS Knowledge Graph since the start of EBRAINS 2.0. One key achievement is the addition of several datasets from both inside and outside the EBRAINS 2.0 consortium into the brain atlases available on EBRAINS. These datasets are accessible through the Knowledge Graph and citable.
New EBRAINS Handbook
At EBRAINS, our handbook is more than a reference - it is a key component of how we communicate and collaborate. It’s designed to keep information clear and accessible, making it easier for everyone to stay aligned. By prioritising reading over listening, it enables faster understanding; through asynchronous communication, it removes the pressure of instant replies; and by gathering all essential resources in one place, it makes onboarding new team members simple and effective.
Alongside this, the articles/chapters provide clear explanations of EBRAINS tools and services, dive into the technical side of the infrastructure, and highlight available education opportunities. The knowledge base itself is easy to navigate and encourages contributions from all EBRAINS users, making it a living resource that grows with the community. If you would like to contribute, please follow this tutorial.
Establishment of EBRAINS Design System
The EBRAINS Design System is a unified framework that shapes how EBRAINS looks, feels, and interacts - across applications, websites, and beyond. It brings together styles, components, and guidelines so that every EBRAINS product feels consistent, professional, and easy to use. With this, EBRAINS is transforming its ecosystem into a seamless and unified digital experience. Together with our User Interface ecosystem, this marks the genesis of a new digital chapter - a unique platform expansion that lays the foundation for every service to share the same look, feel, and interaction patterns.
For service owners, developers, and product teams, the design system:
Delivers 40–50% faster time-to-market for new features.
Enables 60–70% quicker Minimum Viable Products & small apps with reusable patterns.
Ensures a stronger EBRAINS identity with unified brand updates across all services.
Explore our Design System: https://design.ebrains.eu
Creation of EBRAINS Software Distribution
The EBRAINS Software Distribution (ESD) provides a curated, reproducible, and containerised software environment that includes a wide range of EBRAINS tools for simulation, data processing, analysis, communication, and libraries interacting with EBRAINS services.
It is readily accessible through the EBRAINS JupyterLab, as portable container images, and as optimised builds on HPC systems. This unified approach ensures consistency of the software environment across user-managed systems, clusters, and services, allowing researchers to run workflows seamlessly and developers to integrate new tools into EBRAINS with minimal effort.
Read more
Read some of the most impactful news items from the first half of the EBRAINS 2.0 project below.
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