Some mints make pennies, some make quarters, MIT's new McGovern Institute Neurotechnology (MINT) program is making the future of the brain.

Lead by Charles Jennings the new McGovern Institute Neurotechnology (MINT) Program aims to develop new technologies that will advance the study of neuroscience and its translation into clinical applications. Jennings has a diverse background in biomedical research, science communication and academic administration. Following postdoctoral studies in developmental biology at Harvard and MIT, he became an editor with the scientific journal Nature. He was the founding editor of Nature Neuroscience, widely considered a leading journal in its field. More recently, he was the first executive director of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and he continues to serve as an advisor to the Connecticut Stem Cell Research Program.

“We are delighted to have recruited Charles Jennings to MIT,” said Robert Desimone, director of the McGovern Institute. “Brain research has always been driven by technological innovation, and the MINT Program will be central to our strategic development as we focus increasingly on translating basic research discoveries into new clinical applications. We have already begun several collaborative projects under this program, and we look forward to its expansion under Charles’ direction.”

Update 2/22/07: MIT Tech Review interview with Charles Singer