Conference: 2024 Neural Mechanisms of Acoustic Communication Gordon Research Conference and Seminar

这个项目的目的是支持戈登研究会议组织的一个小型会议(约150名与会者)，讨论包括声音在内的声音交流不足的神经机制。会议的一个主要焦点是对神经回路的比较和机械方法的研究，神经回路调节代表8亿年进化的分类群之间的交互声学行为。这种研究声学通信背后的神经机制的方法有助于深入了解神经功能的一般机制，并导致新的分析和实验方法的发展。组织者的目标是创造一个产生对话的环境，通过揭示广泛相关的算法，实现对声音通信的神经基础的机械性和统一性的理解。这些交流将通过鼓励新的想法和合作，突出该领域的多样性，以及激励和指导下一代科学家来推动声通信研究。申请的资金将用于增加机构多样性和对早期职业调查人员和学生的支持。2024年戈登研究会议(GRC)的重点是声学通信的神经机制(NMAC)，还将包括为博士后和博士后学员举办的相关戈登研究研讨会(GRS)。会议的目的是召集该领域的顶尖研究人员讨论他们的最新发现，同时也为年轻的研究人员和研究生提供机会，与这些成熟的研究人员一起展示他们的工作。这一小型会议的形式针对讨论和辩论进行了优化，2024年NMAC有三个具体目标：1)通过提供一个鼓励提问和讨论、挑战当前思维并提供新合作机会的环境来推动声学通信研究；2)为来自不同通信系统的研究人员创建一个独特的互动论坛，并打破社区之间的界限，专注于不同的模型系统、大脑区域、研究方法；以及3)教育新手和早期职业研究人员。对于那些对通信背后的神经回路感兴趣的人来说，没有像NMAC GRC这样的会议。因此，NMAC在GRC家族中是独一无二的，因为它关注的是一种行为，而不是大脑区域(例如小脑)、一种方法(例如光遗传学)或细胞过程(例如神经可塑性)。来自这个项目的资金将支持一个独特的机会，让顶尖研究人员以高度跨学科的方式进行多样化的聚会，以找到关于关键和进化的古代行为的新共同点，其产生和感知是大脑功能的基本特征。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The purpose of this project is to support a small meeting (~150 participants) organized by the Gordon Research Conference to discuss the neural mechanisms that underly acoustic, including vocal, communication. A primary focus of the meeting is on comparative and mechanistic approaches to the study of neural circuits that mediate interactive acoustic behavior across taxa that represent 800 million years of evolution. This approach to the study of the neural mechanisms underlying acoustic communication lends insight into general mechanisms of neural function and leads to the development of novel analytical and experimental approaches. The organizers aim to create an environment that generates conversations that will achieve a mechanistic and unifying understanding of the neural underpinnings of acoustic communication by uncovering broadly relevant algorithms. These exchanges will advance acoustic communication research by encouraging new ideas and collaborations, highlighting diversity in the field, and inspiring and mentoring the next generation of scientists. The request funds will be used to increase institutional diversity and support of early career investigators and students. The 2024 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) focused on the Neural Mechanisms of Acoustic Communication (NMAC) will also include an associated Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) for pre- and postdoctoral trainees. The aim of the meeting is to assemble top researchers in the field to discuss their latest findings while also providing the opportunity for young investigators and graduate students to present their work alongside these established investigators. The format of this small meeting is optimized for discussions and debates and the 2024 NMAC has three specific aims: 1) To advance acoustic communication research by offering an environment that encourages questions and discussion, challenges current thinking, and provides opportunities for new collaborations; 2) to create a unique forum for interaction for researchers from a diversity of communication systems and break down boundaries between communities focused on different model systems, brain regions, research approaches; and 3) to educate new and early career investigators. There exists no meeting like the NMAC GRC for those interested in the neural circuits underlying communication. NMAC is therefore unique within the GRC family because it is focused on a behavior, rather than a brain region (e.g., cerebellum), a method (e.g., optogenetics), or a cellular process (e.g., neuroplasticity). The funds from this project will support a unique opportunity for a diverse gathering of top researchers in a highly interdisciplinary fashion to find new common ground concerning a critical and evolutionary ancient behavior whose production and perception is a fundamental feature of brain function.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.