Summer Science Café Showcased the Vision of the CLARA Centre of Excellence

The discussion explored how AI and quantum are advancing research into and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Around 50 million people worldwide currently live with dementia, and this number is expected to rise to 82 million by 2030. Neurodegenerative diseases associated with dementia include Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. However, these conditions begin to develop in the brain long before the first symptoms appear. The development of new methods for early diagnosis and effective treatment therefore requires a comprehensive approach and close interdisciplinary collaboration.With this vision in mind, the interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence CLARA was introduced at this year's second Science Café, showcasing its mission to reduce the societal impact of neurodegenerative diseases.

Brain research requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. CLARA brings together artificial intelligence, supercomputing, and quantum technologies to create a platform for cross-disciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

The discussion featured Professor Václav Snášel, Director of the CLARA Centre, Associate Professor Vít Vondrák, Director of IT4Innovations, and Dr Milan Němý, Head of the Neuroscience Research Group at the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics of the Czech Technical University (CIIRC CTU). The discussion was moderated by Táňa Hálová Perglová from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic.

 

The discussion also addressed emerging public health challenges, including the impact of nanoplastics and other microscopic particles on the human body. Their effects on the immune system and their potential links to brain health represent an area that requires new research approaches and more effective data sharing among scientific teams. CLARA is therefore also developing an open research infrastructure that will provide access to data, cutting-edge technologies, high-performance computing resources, and educational activities, thereby supporting the next generation of researchers.

CLARA is built on a consortium coordinated by the International Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Center (INDRC). Its partners include the VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics, and the International Clinical Research Center, a joint workplace of St. Anne's University Hospital Brno and the Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine. The consortium is further strengthened by two leading European research institutions: the Paris Brain Institute and the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre.

The event was co-organised by the CZELO office in cooperation with the Prague House in Brussels, the South Moravian Region Representation to the EU in Brussels, and the CLARA Centre.