RCN-PLS: Neuromechanics and dynamics of locomotion

动物的运动是多种力量平衡的结果，是神经输出作用于肌肉的产物，在不可预测的环境中驱动机械复杂的身体。运动产生于这些神经、感觉和运动系统与外部环境之间的相互作用。为了实现运动的综合理解，即使在非常简单的modelorganisms，跨学科的方法，结合联合收割机实验，数学和计算模型，机器人模型是必要的。这个关于运动神经力学和动力学的研究协调网络将促进来自不同背景的研究人员之间的互动和交流，他们的专业知识将导致在揭示这个复杂系统的基本过程方面取得重大进展。我们将利用我们的成功，通过协调的神经和机械研究（实验，机器人和计算）阿萨模型的RCN？跨学科合作的方法。RCN将提供一个框架，通过有计划的活动促进这些合作，包括RCN实验室之间的研究生和博士后研究员的互访，每年的冬季运动研讨会，RCN网络成员之间的访问，在国家会议上组织minisyposia，以及维护运动网站。神经科学的一个理想是了解神经系统如何创造一个完整的行为。运动是这种复杂行为的一个主要例子。神经元和运动神经元活动之间的关系，以及由此产生的动态肌肉力量将需要推导。然后，我们可以描述肌肉力量是如何与环境中的有机体力学联合收割机相结合的。最后，必须描述将感觉反馈整合到运动控制中。运动的神经力学和动力学对生物学家、数学家、工程师和计算科学家提出了一系列挑战。该RCN将支持研究生和博士后访问自己学科之外的实验室，在那里他们可以全面了解理论，计算和实验之间的相互作用。指导委员会的成员已经表现出对这种培训模式的承诺，并在指导学生方面有着出色的记录，从指导本科生研究，指导硕士和博士。该研究中心将作为增加美国妇女和少数民族科学研究人数的一种手段。

Animal movements result from a balance of many different forces, and are the product of neural outputsacting on muscles driving a mechanically complex body in an unpredictable environment. Locomotionemerges from interactions within and among these neural, sensory and motor systems and the externalenvironment. In order to achieve an integrated understanding of locomotion, even in very simple modelorganisms, interdisciplinary approaches that combine experiments, mathematical and computational models,and robotic models are necessary. This Research Coordination Network on the Neuromechanics andDynamics of Locomotion will catalyze interactions and communication between researchers from diversebackgrounds whose combined expertise will lead to significant progress in uncovering the fundamentalprocesses of this complex system. We will use our successes in understanding the swimming behavior oflamprey through coordinated neural and mechanical studies (experimental, robotic and computational) asa model for the RCN?s approach to interdisciplinary collaborations. The RCN will provide a frameworkthat facilitates these collaborations through planned activities that include exchange visits of graduatestudents and postdoctoral fellows among RCN laboratories, an annual Winter Workshop on Locomotion,visits among members of the RCN network, organization of minisyposia at national meetings, andmaintenance of a locomotion website.One ideal in neuroscience is to understand how the nervous system creates a complete behavior. Locomotionis a prime example of such a complex behavior. Relationships among neuronal and motoneuronalactivities, and the resulting dynamic muscle forces would need to be deduced. One would then describehow muscle forces combine with the mechanics of the organism in its environment. Finally, the integrationof sensory feedback into movement control must be described. The neuromechanics and dynamicsof locomotion present a rich array of challenges to biologists, mathematicians, engineers and computationalscientists. This RCN will support graduate students and postdocs to visit a laboratory outside theirown discipline, where they can develop a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between theory,computation, and experiment. Members of the steering committee have demonstrated commitment to thismodel of training, and have excellent track-records in the mentoring of students, ranging from directingundergraduate research, directing MS and Ph.D. theses, and serving as advisors to postdoctoral students.This RCN will serve as a means to increase the number of US women and minorities in scientific research.