RCN-PLS: Neuromechanics and dynamics of locomotion

动物的运动是许多不同力量平衡的结果，是神经输出作用于肌肉的产物，这些肌肉在不可预测的环境中驱动着机械复杂的身体。运动产生于这些神经、感觉和运动系统以及外部环境内部和之间的相互作用。为了实现对运动的综合理解，即使在非常简单的模型生物体中，也需要结合实验、数学和计算模型以及机器人模型的跨学科方法。这个关于神经力学和运动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，他们的专业知识组合将在揭示这一复杂系统的基本过程方面取得重大进展。我们将利用我们在通过协调神经和力学研究(实验、机器人和计算)理解火龙游泳行为方面的成功，作为RCN？S方法进行跨学科协作的模型。RCN将提供一个框架，通过计划的活动促进这些合作，这些活动包括RCN实验室之间毕业生和博士后研究员的互访，一年一度的步态冬季研讨会，RCN网络成员之间的访问，在国家会议上组织迷你姿势，以及维护移动网站。神经科学中的一个理想是了解神经系统如何创造完整的行为。移动是这种复杂行为的一个典型例子。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力需要得到推断。然后描述肌肉力量如何与生物体在其环境中的力学相结合。最后，必须描述感觉反馈与运动控制的整合。神经力学和运动动力学对生物学家、数学家、工程师和计算科学家提出了一系列丰富的挑战。这个RCN将支持研究生和博士后访问他们所在学科之外的实验室，在那里他们可以对理论、计算和实验之间的相互作用产生全面的理解。指导委员会的成员已经表明了对这种培训模式的承诺，并在指导学生方面有着良好的记录，从指导本科生研究，指导硕士和博士论文，到担任博士后顾问。这个RCN将成为增加美国女性和少数族裔参与科学研究的一种手段。

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.