Understanding the structure, development, and function of the brain and the nervous system is the challenge of neuroscience, a naturally interdisciplinary field of research that integrates tools and concepts from areas ranging from biology to physics,  including psychology and computer science.

Fostering exchange between people from different disciplines is fundamental, and for this reason, the event “Brainhack Rome 2025: Connecting the Dots Between Structure and Function” was held at the CREF from April 8th to 11th, 2025, as part of the Brainhack initiatives.

The format of the workshop, organized by Maria Guidi (INFN-LNS, Catania), Alessandra Maiuro (University of Rome “La Sapienza”), Marco Palombo (Cardiff University), and Matteo Mancini of the Enrico Fermi Research Center, mirrors that of hackathons and unconferences, alternating moments of group work with short and informal conferences, with a non-competitive approach aimed at encouraging networking and the exchange of experiences.

“The idea of organizing a Brainhack at the CREF appealed to us for two fundamental reasons,” said Matteo Mancini. “On one hand, there is the historical and symbolic value of the place, and on the other, the multidisciplinary vocation of the institution. My group is part of the Marbilab laboratory, shared between the CREF and the Santa Lucia Foundation, where we study in particular MRI applications for metabolism and clinical practice, but we also have groups that deal more specifically with artificial intelligence or network models to study brain connectivity.”

About forty young researchers from numerous national institutions (Polytechnic University of Milan, University of Padua, University Magna Graecia) and international ones (Cardiff University, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein) participated in the four-day workshop. The participants collaborated in groups on numerous project proposals, launched with pitches on the creation of new software tools, the development of interpretation and prediction models in the field of neuroscience, and, in general, the sharing of new resources for the scientific community.

The group work was interspersed with short seminars held by Tommaso Gili (IMT Lucca), Laura Marzetti (University “G. d’Annunzio”), Alberto Antonietti (Polytechnic University of Milan), and Mauro Costagli (University of Genoa),  providing interesting ideas for the development of the projects.

“The presentations in the closing session of the event showed already functioning software prototypes and very interesting preliminary results, emphasizing how much can be achieved even in a few days if you collaborate and focus together. The atmosphere and the feedback from the participants convinced us that it is an experience to be repeated in the future.”