Neural Systems

The Neural Systems Cluster focuses on how complex functions arise from communication among the cellular elements of the nervous system and from interactions with other physiological systems and the environment. The Cluster encourages a systems biology approach to understand how emergent neural properties such as robustness, adaptability and resilience arise in the context of environmental, genetic and evolutionary influences. Investigations may range over time scales from the physiological to the evolutionary. Studies may range in complexity from molecular and cellular processes to the behaviors that emerge from these processes and the feedback that these behaviors exert on the system. The use of comparative and evolutionary studies, as well as the development of novel theoretical, computational, and transdisciplinary approaches to guide and instruct experimental design, are particularly encouraged. Organization: The focus of this programmatic area is to understand how genetic information, developmental processes, and experience/environment interact to produce the structural and functional characteristics of the nervous system.Activation: The focus of this programmatic area is on the process of extracting information from the external environment and integrating it with the internal state of the organism to form a decision, perception or action.Modulation: The focus of this programmatic area is on the robust emergent properties of the nervous system that underlie such qualities as adaptive behavior, learning, and the ability to engage in complex social interactions.Summary Award Information - In FY 2010, the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems funded 17% of submitted proposals, and the mean annual award was $216,556. Program Directors:Diane M. Witt: Neural systems MODULATION, neuroendocrinology, neuroimmunology, behavioral neuroscience.James O. Deshler: Neural systems ORGANIZATION, developmental neuroscience, molecular and cellular neuroscience; neurogenesis; synaptogenesis; gliogenesis.Karen A. Mesce: Neural systems ACTIVATION, sensory-motor integration, neural plasticity.Cedric L. Williams: Neural systems MODULATION, systems level analysis of learning and memory, physiological regulation of the autonomic nervous system, neural analysis of complex behavioral systems.