"A report on the opening session of the 2008 Workshop on Neural Engineeringsponsored by the Pacific Northwest Center for Neural Engineering. The goals of this effort, called the Pacific Northwest Center for Neural Engineering, are to foster more collaboration among the region's engineers, physicists, biologists, computer scientists, and neuroscientists. About 145 people signed up for the conference, including Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, although I didn't see him last night. Too bad– he missed out on a fascinating talk about neuroscience of insects, specifically moths, by UW researcher Tom Daniel."

"The new Pacific Northwest Center for Neural Engineering will host the 2008 Workshop on Neural Engineering— co-sponsored by the University of Washington, Microsoft Research, and the National Science Foundation— from Thursday October 9 through Saturday October 11 on the Microsoft campus."

""While markets crashed and investors sobbed, certified genius Yoky Matsuoka and 140 of her friends were ... brainstorming how to make the region a world center for neural engineering. "Their efforts could make Seattle the hub for developing brain-controlled robotic systems that may someday help amputees, stroke victims and people with spinal-cord injuries. Think of the 'Bionic Man' or the prosthetic hands used by Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in 'Star Wars.'"