Neuroscience

The Neuroscience Cluster of thematic areas is located within the Division of Integrative Biology and Neuroscience and supports research on all aspects of nervous system structure, function, and development. Integrative approaches to basic research range from fundamental mechanisms of neuronal function at the molecular and cellular levels to adaptations of the brain for appropriate behavior in particular environments. A major focus is the development and use of a wide diversity of organisms as biological models for understanding fundamental principles of neuroscience. Multidisciplinary collaborative research projects are encouraged to apply different types of research techniques to single-focused problems in neuroscience.

Supported in this cluster is research on neural regulation of behavioral events, ranging from simple movements to complex adaptive and interactive responses, studies that explore the computational functions of neurons, neural circuits, and nervous systems, and the development and testing of mathematical or computer models of neural systems. Also included is research on the development, regeneration, and aging of the nervous system, including aspects of cell lineage and determination; axonal navigation and cell migration; regulation of gene expression; neuronal morphogenesis; and neuron-glia interactions.

This cluster also supports research on understanding multifaceted relationships among the central nervous system, hormones, and behavior, especially in relation to environmental factors. This includes how the brain controls endocrine secretion and the effects of steroid and peptide hormones on the brain. Innovative approaches and techniques exploring the cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal and glial cell function, including energy metabolism, ion and substrate transport, and synaptic mechanisms, are also supported. Included in this thematic area are studies of the mechanisms by which the nervous system acquires, encodes, and processes information about the environment, and research on neural processes at the molecular, cellular, systemic, and behavioral levels, and psychophysical correlates of sensory neural processes.