What 中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院脑认知与脑疾病研究所 does

The Brain Cognition and Brain Diseases Institute (BCBDI) is a public neuroscience research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, officially established in 2016 (unveiled in 2014) and headquartered at 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen University Town, Nanshan District. It conducts multi-disciplinary brain research across six centers — Brain Connectome and Behavior, Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Cognitive Science and Intelligence Technology, Translational Research for the Nervous System, the Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory (directed by 1991 Nobel laureate Erwin Neher), and the Interdisciplinary Center for Brain Information — with a team of 500+ researchers including 65+ national-level talents and international faculty from Stanford, Cambridge, Harvard, UC Berkeley, and Duke.

The institute operates one of the world's most comprehensive neurotropic viral tool libraries (100+ variants including HSV-1, PRV, RV, VSV, AAV, CAV, SFV), serving 100+ global laboratories through a national neural circuit tracing platform. Proprietary platforms include the BBQSM brain-behavior-physiology quantification system, flying-scanning microscopy for micron-resolution whole-brain mapping (Nature Biotechnology 2021), cryo-electron tomography for synaptic ultrastructure (Nature Neuroscience 2020), and laser-induced graphene flexible multimodal brain-computer interfaces (Advanced Functional Materials 2026). Cumulative outputs include ~1,000 high-level SCI publications in Nature, Science, Cell, Neuron, and ~1,300 patent applications with 350+ grants.

BCBDI does not generate revenue from commercial product sales. Its funding model is grant-based: it has secured 950+ national, ministerial, provincial (Guangdong), and municipal (Shenzhen) research projects with cumulative approved funding of approximately 1.9 billion RMB (~USD 280M) since inception. Outputs are disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, international conferences and symposia (including the annual SIAT-Max Planck Symposium and the Neural Circuit Tracing and Regulation Conference), technology transfer and licensing of viral tools and neural interfaces, joint laboratories with industry partners (e.g., Zhaowei Electromechanical, Japan NICT), and academic talent pipelines including the annual "Brain Future" undergraduate summer camp.

Name

中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院脑认知与脑疾病研究所

Legal name

中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院脑认知与脑疾病研究所

Website

https://bcbdi.siat.ac.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BCBDI is a Chinese Academy of Sciences neuroscience research institute in Shenzhen operating six brain science centers with 500+ researchers, a Nobel-laureate-led Neher Lab, and proprietary platforms (neurotropic viral tools, BBQSM brain-behavior quantification, LIG-based flexible brain-computer interfaces) that serve 100+ global laboratories via government-funded grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neuroscience Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurogenetics & Rare Neurologic Diseases (HLAKAIAO), Clinical Research & Trial Central Laboratories (HLAFAMAL), Research Administration & Compliance (Sponsored Programs, IRB/REB) (EDADAKAH)

Keywords

• Neuroscience research
• Brain-computer interface
• Neural circuit mapping
• Neurodegenerative disease research
• Neurotropic viral tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Shenzhen

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Government Research Grants and Project Funding: As a CAS research institute, BCBDI operates primarily through national, ministerial, provincial and municipal research project funding. Has secured over 950 research projects with total approved funding of approximately 1.9 billion RMB (~$280 million USD). Revenue is not derived from commercial product sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

BCBDI conducts multi-disciplinary brain science research across six research centers covering neural circuit mapping, neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, cognitive science, neural engineering translation, neural plasticity, and brain information processing. The institute operates research platforms providing access to proprietary viral tools, BCI technologies, brain-behavior-physiology quantification systems, and cryo-electron microscopy, while also delivering talent training and academic collaboration services to global neuroscience researchers.

Product overview

The Brain Cognition and Brain Diseases Institute (BCBDI) is a neuroscience research institute, not a commercial product company. It operates six research centers (Centre for Brain Connectome and Behavior, Centre for Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Centre for Cognitive Science and Intelligence Technology, Translational Research Center for the Nervous System, Shenzhen Neher Neural Plasticity Laboratory, and Interdisciplinary Center for Brain Information) that collectively advance brain science research. Key technology offerings include the Neurotropic Viral Tool Library (100+ viral variants for neural circuit research), BBQSM brain-behavior quantification system, Laser-Induced Graphene flexible bioelectronics, cryo-electron tomography, and flying-scanning microscopy. The institute provides research collaboration, talent training, and technical platform access to partner institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Neurotropic Viral Tool Library A comprehensive library of over 100 neurotropic viral tool variants (HSV-1, PRV, RV, VSV, AAV, CAV, SFV) for structural and functional dissection of neural circuits. Provides viral vector tools for neuroscience research and nervous system disorder diagnosis and treatment.
• BBQSM Brain-Behavior-Physiology Quantification System Proprietary technology system for quantifying brain-behavior-physiology relationships at sub-second temporal precision and fine spatial scales. Enables analysis of behavioral switching characteristics and 'motivation particle' dynamic interactions through synchronous electrophysiology and physiology monitoring.
• Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) Bioelectronics Flexible multimodal brain-computer interface devices using laser-induced graphene. Enables high-sensitivity physiological sensing and stable long-term neural recording for brain-body interaction studies and closed-loop BCI applications.
• Cryo-Electron Tomography Platform In-situ ultrastructure and molecular architecture analysis of neuronal synapses using cryo-electron tomography. Part of multiscale structural visualization research for membrane proteins including GABA(A) receptors in hippocampal inhibitory synapses.
• Flying-Scanning Microscopy Technology Synchronized flying-scanning microscopy technique achieving micron-resolution imaging and mesoscopic mapping of entire primate brains for whole-brain neural circuit mapping.
• National Neural Circuit Tracing Platform National-level platform providing neural circuit tracing services and viral tool access to research laboratories globally, enabling structural and functional dissection of neural circuits across the central and peripheral nervous systems.
• Flexible Multimodal Brain-Computer Interfaces (f-BCI) Flexible neural electrodes, biosensors, and optogenetic technologies for cell-type-specific modulation across central and peripheral nervous systems. Hydrogel optical fiber electronics with mechanically robust interfaces enable simultaneous electrophysiological recording and optogenetic modulation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 950 national, ministerial, provincial and municipal research projects secured; approximately 1.9 billion RMB in total approved funding; approximately 1,000 high-level SCI publications in top-tier journals; nearly 1,300 patent applications filed with over 350 patents granted; neural circuit tracing platform serving 100+ international laboratories

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Chinese Association for Drug Abuse Prevention and Control - Addiction Brain Science Research Professional CommitteemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2026Hosting the 2026 Academic Annual Conference (August 12-14, 2026) of the Addiction Brain Science Research Professional Committee, co-organized with Shenzhen Kangning Hospital and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction. Focus on addiction neuroscience mechanisms, diagnosis, intervention and treatment.
• Max Planck Society (MPG), GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 August 20262026 SIAT-Max Planck Society Brain Science and Mental Health Cross-Disciplinary Symposium (August 10-11, 2026) jointly organized by SIAT BCBDI and the Max Planck Society. Nobel laureate participation. Focus on neural circuits, molecular mechanisms, and translational psychiatry. Aims to establish a long-term interdisciplinary exchange platform between brain science and mental health researchers from China and Germany.
• National Institute of ElectroCommunications, JapancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2025Joint International Laboratory for 'Human-Machine Intelligence Interaction and Functional Rehabilitation' established at SIAT. Co-built by SIAT's Center for Neural Engineering and Japan's National Institute of ElectroCommunications. Collaboration areas include personalized intelligent prosthetics, autonomous rehabilitation wearable devices, robot technology for aging society, and brain-computer interfaces with multi-source information fusion decoding. Agreement signed on September 25, 2024; officially inaugurated on March 10, 2025.
• Zhaowei Electromechanical Co., Ltd. (兆威机电股份有限公司)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Joint laboratory for 'Dexterous Hand Intelligent System' (灵巧手智能系统联合实验室) established between SIAT and Zhaowei Electromechanical. Focus on dexterous hand technology for surgical robots and humanoid robots. Signed on September 12, 2024. BCBDI provides expertise in sensing, control, and AI; Zhaowei contributes precision manufacturing capabilities.
• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research collaboration and talent cultivation partnership. BCBDI spearheads the development of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science (深港脑科学创新研究院), a key Shenzhen-based platform. Joint laboratories established for collaborative neuroscience research.
• University of British Columbia (UBC), CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration in neuroscience research and talent training with UBC, one of Canada's leading research universities.
• INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique), FrancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research collaboration and talent training partnership with INRA France in neuroscience and related fields.
• Humboldt University of Berlin (HU Berlin), GermanymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research and talent training collaboration with Humboldt University of Berlin (德国洪堡大学).
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United StatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration in brain science research and talent cultivation with MIT, USA.
• Shenzhen University of Science and Technology (深圳理工大学)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaborative research with Shenzhen University of Science and Technology (深理工) on neuroscience research including addiction, depression, and brain development mechanisms. Multiple joint research papers co-authored between BCBDI researchers and SUSTech faculty.
• Belt and Road International Science Organization AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlanning international scientific cooperation under the Belt and Road International Science Organization Alliance framework. One Belt One Road agricultural disaster remote sensing monitoring and smart agriculture international training program co-organized by SIAT.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Janelia Research Campus (HHMI): HHMI's research campus developing imaging technologies, computational neuroscience, and genetic tools for circuit-level brain research. Comparable in its focus on tool development (e.g., fly/mouse brain mapping), viral vectors, and high-throughput microscopy.
• Max Planck Institute for Brain Research: German basic-research institute studying neural circuits, computation, and brain disease. Directly comparable as a publicly funded brain science institute with circuit-tracing, disease modeling and translational outputs, and a current collaboration partner of BCBDI via the SIAT-Max Planck Symposium.
• Allen Institute for Brain Science: Non-profit neuroscience research institute focused on brain mapping, cell types, and large-scale imaging/atlas resources. Directly comparable to BCBDI in mission (open brain science platforms), publication volume, and use of viral/Imaging tool platforms.
• Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing (CIBR): Beijing-based brain science institute backed by the City of Beijing and CASS, focused on circuits, cognition and brain disease. Directly comparable as a Chinese peer institute competing for similar national talent programs, grant pools, and disease-translational milestones.
• RIKEN Center for Brain Science: Japan's national brain science research center under RIKEN, focused on neural circuits, brain development and disease, with strong BCI and imaging programs. Comparable as an Asian publicly funded institute pursuing similar circuit-mapping and disease-translation goals.
• Tsinghua-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research: Joint Tsinghua-IDG/McGovern Institute at Tsinghua University (Beijing) doing neuroscience and BCI research. Highly comparable in scale, talent strategy (returnee PIs), disease focus (Alzheimer's, autism, depression) and translational ambitions.
• Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute (Columbia): Columbia University's neuroscience institute studying circuits, behavior and brain disease. Comparable in disease focus (Alzheimer's, autism, depression), imaging and circuit-level methodology, and publication impact.
• Champalimaud Foundation - Champalimaud Research: Portuguese neuroscience and cancer research center focused on circuits, behavior, vision and clinical translation. Comparable in combining circuit-level basic research with translational ambitions and international talent.

Broad incumbents

• Salk Institute for Biological Studies: Large, well-established basic-research institute covering neuroscience, genetics, plant biology and immunology. Comparable in research-output scale and Nobel-affiliated faculty, but broader in scope than BCBDI's brain-focused mission.

Emerging players

• Westlake University School of Life Sciences: Newly established Hangzhou-based research university with growing neuroscience and BCI programs. Comparable as a Chinese non-CAS basic-research competitor recruiting returnee PIs and competing for similar talent-program funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E7%A7%91%E5%AD%A6%E9%99%A2%E6%B7%B1%E5%9C%B3%E5%85%88%E8%BF%9B%E6%8A%80%E6%9C%AF%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E9%99%A2%E8%84%91%E8%AE%A4%E7%9F%A5%E4%B8%8E%E8%84%91%E7%96%BE%E7%97%85%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E6%89%80

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about 中国科学院深圳先进技术研究院脑认知与脑疾病研究所