Charles Lieber leads China’s state-funded i-BRAIN lab in Shenzhen
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Apr 30
Charles Lieber leads China’s state-funded i-BRAIN lab in Shenzhen
10 articles · Updated · Reuters · Apr 30
The former Harvard scientist, 67, has access to dedicated primate facilities, an ASML lithography system and Shenzhen government-backed funding through SMART, whose 2026 budget rose nearly 18% to about $153m.
i-BRAIN is recruiting researchers for rhesus monkey studies on brain-computer interfaces, work seen as crucial for human trials and potentially relevant to military applications under China’s military-civil fusion strategy.
Lieber was convicted in 2021 of lying about ties to China’s Thousand Talents Program, and analysts say his return to advanced research highlights limits of US safeguards on sensitive technology.
After his US conviction, how did Charles Lieber spearhead China's quest for brain-computer interface supremacy?
China launched the world's first commercial brain implant. Is the West falling behind in the critical neuro-tech race?