Three expatriate Brazilian scientists have launched a bid to build a research centre in the northern coastal city of Natal in Brazil.

The institute will focus on neuroscience, and will attempt to understand the basic mechanisms that control cellular circuits within the brain. The campus will also include a mental health clinic and a school for under privileged children.

But those involved in the bid admit that it will be difficult to raise the US$20 million needed to set up the centre.

Link to Nature news story

Reference: Nature 423, 372 (2003)