All Lab Modules

Module 1: MRI scanner

Under the responsibility of Prof. Patrik Vuilleumier the BBL houses a 3T MRI scanner that is used to see how various regions of the brain interact, function or dysfunction, by measuring local activity with a high resolution and visualizing the fine connections between the different brain areas.

Module 2: VIRTUAL REALITY

Under the academic responsibility of Prof. Didier Grandjean and the technical responsibility of software engineer Emmanuel Badier, the BBL is equipped with a high-end Virtual Reality CAVE™ system. This system allows researchers to benefit of the state of the art in virtual reality for creating and using immersive virtual scenes. The manipulations of visual, auditory, and olfactory sensations coupled with the possibilities to track eyes, head, and body movements of one participant allow scientists to investigate complex behaviors in realistic scenes. Moreover, physiological measures (e.g. heart rate, skin conductance, muscular activity) as well as EEG measures can be done into the system. This tool allows researchers to immerse some participants in a virtual world presenting various situations and stimuli, entirely controlled by researchers.

Module 3: EEG and TMS lab

Under the responsibility of Prof. Christoph Michel, the BBL is also equipped with sophisticated 256-channel EEG systems that serve to provide information about the speed and network dynamics of cognitive processes. This is used on its own or together with MRI, and allows precise localisation and evaluation of abnormal brain activity in epilepsy or psychiatry conditions. In addition, the laboratory also employs transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which produces a transient disruption or modulation of cortical brain areas through the skull, and can thus probe or influence the function of these areas in a non-invasive manner.

Module 4: sleep lab

Under the responsibility of Dr. Sophie Schwartz the sleep lab makes it possible to directly test the effect of emotions induced in the virtual reality lab and to record during sleep the subsequent changes in electrical and functional activity of the brain.

Module 5: psychophysiology lab

Under the responsibiliy of Dr. Sylvain Delplanque, the psychophysiology lab makes it possible to elicit and record various bodily changes (such as heart rate, respiration, skin conductance, electromyography, temperature, etc.) during cognitive and emotive challenges.

Module 6: acoustic cabin

This module under the responsibiliy of Prof. Didier Grandjean makes it possible to carry out experiments while being totally isolated from outside noise.

Module 7: visual perception lab

Under the responsibility of Prof. Patrik Vuilleumier the visual perception lab houses an eye-tracker.

Module 8: examination room

This room is available for medical examination.

Module 9: Parallel Testing room

A seminar room with several identical computers can be booked by BBL researchers.