CLARA Testbed

CLARA Testbed

The CLARA Testbed is a cutting-edge distributed High-Performance Computing and Quantum Computing (HPCQC) infrastructure designed to accelerate research in brain science and neurodegenerative diseases. It represents a hybrid computing environment that integrates high-performance computing (HPC), quantum computing (QC), and artificial intelligence (AI) to solve computational challenges beyond the capabilities of traditional supercomputing​.

The CLARA Testbed means a new approach to computational neuroscience.

The CLARA Testbed is not just a computing platform, it is a paradigm shift in neuroscience research. Traditional HPC methods are limited by their ability to handle nonlinear, large-scale, and complex biological processes. The integration of QC offers an unprecedented opportunity to address non-polynomial scaling challenges, such as protein interactions, molecular dynamics, and neural system modelling. By leveraging a hybrid HPCQC infrastructure, CLARA aims to overcome computational bottlenecks that hinder progress in understanding neurodegeneration.

The CLARA Testbed represents:

  • A major step forward in neuroscience research, combining cutting-edge computing technologies to unlock new frontiers in brain science, neurodegeneration studies, and AI-driven medical advancements.
  • A platform designed for breakthrough discoveries, including protein-ligand docking simulations, multimodal data analysis, and quantum-assisted neurodegenerative disease modelling​.
  • The very first distributed HPCQC infrastructure with a clear focus on brain research.
  • Open Access and Scientific Community Engagement: The testbed is designed for open science, making its computing power and data available to researchers across Europe and beyond.
  • The potential integration with other EuroHPC Joint Undertaking resources (including LUMI and LUMI-AI) in combination with QC power of VLQ (the LUMI-Q consortium quantum computer), Euro-Q-Exa at LRZ and other quantum computers in Europe.
  • An innovative functionality in terms of cross-system workflow orchestration and data management.