A General Neural Simulation System for Computational Neurobiology

该奖项将支持分发，使用和扩展 新的神经网络仿真工具，简称GENESIS （通用神经模拟系统）。 GENESIS已开发 由首席研究员建立现实的模型， 生物神经系统 对使用的巨大兴趣 模拟研究神经系统也使它更加 重要的是，该系统应得到支持、加强和扩展。 这种支持的一种方法是设计基于GENESIS的 演示模拟系统使用的教程 与此同时， 了解神经模拟是如何构建的， 构建了 这是目前奖项的一个重要方面。 从技术角度来看，由于GENESIS利用了 计算机模拟平台的最新方法， 图形接口，进一步的软件开发将提供 扩大系统能力的令人兴奋的机会。 该奖项将支持软件系统的移植， 并行计算机有潜力提供 显著提高了模拟的计算能力。 该奖项还将支持发展基础广泛的 GENESIS用户组通过计算机网络进行通信。 与 这种能力，研究人员将能够互动，甚至在 在开发模拟和相关工具的同时实现实时性。 总的来说，该奖项将提供必要的支持， 分发和推广一个有价值的工具， 计算神经生物学 它将支持普通教育， 模拟技术的使用以及 不同研究小组之间的交流 用计算方法来理解神经系统。

This award will support the distribution, use, and extension of a new neural network simulation tool, referred to as GENESIS (General NEural SImulation System). GENESIS has been developed by the principal investigator to build realistic models of biological neural systems. The large interest in using simulations to studying the nervous system also makes it more important that the system be supported, enhanced and extended. One approach to this support is the design of GENESIS based tutorials that both demonstrate the use of the simulation system and, at the same time, provide educational tools for understanding how neural simulations are structured and constructed. This is an important aspect of the current award. From a technical point of view, because GENESIS makes use of state of the art approaches to computer simulation platforms and graphics interfaces, further software development will provide exciting opportunities for expansion of the systems capabilities. This award will support the porting of the software system to parallel computers which have the potential to provide significant increases in the computing power for simulations. This award will also support the development of broadly based GENESIS users group communicating over computer networks. With this capability, researchers will be able to interact even in real-time while developing simulations and associated tools. Taken together, this award will provide the support necessary for the distribution and extension of a valuable tool for computational neurobiology. It will support general education in the use of simulation techniques as well as the development of communication between different research groups interested in computational approaches to understanding the nervous system.