A recent study by our faculty member Assoc. Prof. Murat Okatan, titled Fast computation of the statistical significance test for spatio-temporal receptive field estimates obtained using spike-triggered averaging of binary pseudo-random sequences,” presents a novel approach that dramatically reduces the computation time of a previously developed statistical test.

The test in question is used to determine whether the relationship between neural responses and sensory stimuli is statistically significant. With existing methods, computing this test for certain neurons was projected to take hundreds of years. However, the new method developed by Dr. Okatan reduces this duration to under half a second, without compromising accuracy. In simulations, calculations that would have taken a duration equivalent to the sixth power of the age of the universe were completed in just 10 milliseconds.

This striking advancement is expected to significantly enhance research into how neurons— particularly in the visual system—respond to spatio-temporal stimuli, and may contribute to studies on the genetic underpinnings of neural connectivity.

The study originated from an assignment given in the Computational Neuroscience (BLU621E) course, offered as part of our Institute’s PhD Program in Information Technologies. Unique in its content in Türkiye, this course aims to explore the functioning of the nervous system at both the single-neuron and network levels using real neural data and statistical methods. Offered every semester, the course is open to interested master’s and doctoral students, and undergraduate students may also attend as auditors. Efforts are currently underway to offer the course as an undergraduate elective as well.


İTÜ Informatics Institute

bilisim-anasayfa-hakkimizda

ITU Informatics Institute provides graduate-level education and research in applied informatics, computer sciences, computational science and engineering, communication systems under the following programs.

Faculty members and students conduct research supported by national and international organızatıons in the fields of electromagnetic fields, communication systems/regulations, computational materials design, computational chemistry/biology, cryptography, signal/data processing/visualization, big data management, climate and ocean sciences, 

  • List of Most Influential Scientists; Associate Professor. B. Uğur Töreyin (article by Dr. John PA Ioannidis, K. W. Boyack and J. Baas published in the journal PLOS Biology)
  • Beltus Nkwawir Wiysobunri, the best project award in the Science category, in the 2020 International Students Project Competition
  • Argenit company, of which Dr. Abdulkerim Çapar is among the founding partners, received the "National-International Supports" First Prize of ITU ARI Teknokent.
  • TÜBİTAK 2242 University Students Project Competition in Priority Areas: Istanbul region first place - Ahmet Burak Özyurt
  • Best Presentation Award at ICAT'18 Conference: Sena Efsun Cebeci, 2018
  • Tubitak Incentive Award; 2016 Assoc. Prof. Adem Tekin
  • “Technical Paper” and “Willis H. Carrier” Award by the American Heating, Cooling and Air Conditioning Association; 2016 Assist. Prof. Dr. H. Salih Erden
  • Science Heroes Association Young Scientist of the Year Award; 2016 Assoc. B. Uğur Töreyin Best Poster Award at PRACEdays 2016 conference; Samet Demir
  • ITU Most Successful Thesis Award; 2016 Hatice Gokcan

There is also a High Performance Computing Laboratory established with the support of the State Planning Organization within the Institute.