- LE News Desk

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched ANCHOR (Atlas of Neurochemical Characterisation of the Human Brainstem with 3D Reconstruction), described as the world's most detailed three-dimensional atlas of the human brainstem.

Developed by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC), ANCHOR was created using an advanced brain imaging and computing platform that converts entire human brains into highly detailed 3D maps at the cellular level.

According to IIT Madras, the atlas provides the most comprehensive 3D maps of the human brainstem available so far. It covers different stages of life, from the prenatal period to childhood and adulthood, offering valuable insights into brain development.

To support global research and healthcare, the institute has made ANCHOR freely accessible through a dedicated website. Researchers, doctors and medical experts around the world can use the atlas for scientific studies and clinical applications.

The atlas includes detailed reconstructions of more than 200 brainstem nuclei and fibre tracts. It was created using hundreds of brain sections and advanced imaging techniques, allowing scientists to study the brainstem in unprecedented detail.

ANCHOR was officially launched during the 3rd BRICS Neuroscience Symposium, held at the IIT Madras campus from June 5 to 7, 2026.

The Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre aims to create the world's most comprehensive collection of cell-level human brain maps across different stages of life and neurological diseases. The centre plans to image more than 100 human brains as part of this effort.

The project has brought together over 200 researchers, engineers and technicians, along with 20 international collaborators, making it a major global scientific initiative.

Praising the achievement, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, called it a significant milestone in neurobiology. He said the atlas combines MRI scans, tissue analysis and detailed chemical mapping to provide a deeper understanding of the brainstem.

According to Sood, these maps will help scientists identify specific brain cells affected by brainstem disorders, which could support future medical treatments and clinical applications.

He also highlighted the project as an example of how public investment, combined with private and philanthropic support, can help build world-class scientific infrastructure and deliver breakthroughs in advanced brain research.

Source: https://ddnews.gov.in