Objective In the present proposal I will describe a novel research agenda for understanding the neural basis of mammalian behavior. Three central problems prevent current research from explaining mammalian behavior in terms of neural mechanisms. First, there is a preponderance of correlative evidence in systems neuroscience. Second there is generally insufficient information about the individual neuron(s) under study. Third, there is a lack of integration of information. Current neuroscience is characterized by strongly diverging research interests and this highly divergent and specialized research program cannot lead to systemic understanding of brain function. We will confront these problems by three novel research approaches: (1) We will establish a causal link between cellular activity and behavior by a single-cell-stimulation / reverse physiology approach. (2) We will obtain rich information about single neurons by whole-cell recordings in awake behaving animals. (3) We will perform a whole-brain-analysis of a novel model organism, the Etruscan shrew, in which we will record the activity of all neurons in the shrew s brain. The research proposed here is unique, because as no other research group investigates brain function by a single-cell-stimulation, by intracellular recordings in freely moving animals, or by whole-brain analysis. The research outlined here will probe the relationship of neural activity and behavior in an entirely unprecedented fashion. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiology Keywords Reverse Physiology whole-brain-analysis Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-LS5 - ERC Advanced Grant - Neurosciences and neural disorders Call for proposal ERC-2008-AdG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAET ZU BERLIN Address Unter den linden 6 10117 Berlin Germany See on map Region Berlin Berlin Berlin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Michael Brecht (Prof.) Administrative Contact Ulrich Winderl Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 2 499 600,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAET ZU BERLIN Germany EU contribution € 2 499 600,00 Address Unter den linden 6 10117 Berlin See on map Region Berlin Berlin Berlin Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Michael Brecht (Prof.) Administrative Contact Ulrich Winderl Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
