Processing in the Insect Brain to Deal with Barriers to Legged Locomotion

这个项目将研究神经回路，这些神经回路构成了昆虫大脑中一个独特的区域，称为中央复合体。这个大的中线脑区由几个亚单位组成，每个亚单位都有一个柱状解剖结构。构成这些列的重复单元为理解潜在的神经回路提供了独特的机会。它们似乎参与处理大量的感官信息，然后用它来影响运动。一系列的电生理技术将被用来研究如何中央复杂电路处理机械信息所产生的触角刺激以及视觉线索。结合行为技术，中央复合处理将与实际运动有关。这些结果对于理解大脑系统如何影响更直接的局部反射回路至关重要，这些反射回路直接控制行走，转弯和攀爬中的腿部运动，这些运动在昆虫的胸神经节中发现。他们将补充来自其他几个实验室的神经遗传学技术在运动控制方面的最新进展。事实上，因为高级大脑系统和局部反射之间的类似相互作用存在于几乎所有的有腿动物中，包括脊椎动物，结果将产生广泛的神经生物学影响。此外，PI长期致力于将生物系统的知识引入腿式机器人的设计。因此，该项目还应该导致更先进的机器人，可以通过曲折的地形自主移动，而驾驶员的方向较少。该项目将继续成功地培训研究生和本科生。学生将有机会直接与该项目的高级实验室人员合作，更多的学生将参加一个新颖的顶点课程，该课程将本科生生物学家和工程师聚集在一起，进行与本研究相关的长达一个学期的项目。

This project will examine neural circuits that make up a unique region of the insect brain called the central complex. This large midline brain region is made up of several subunits that each has a columnar anatomy. The repeating units that make up these columns provide a unique opportunity for understanding the underlying neural circuitry. They appear to be involved in processing large amounts of sensory information, then using it to influence movement. A range of electrophysiological techniques will be used to examine how central complex circuits process mechanical information arising from antennal stimulation as well as visual cues. In conjunction with behavioral techniques, central complex processing will be related to actual movements. The results are critical to the understanding of how brain systems influence more immediate local reflex circuits that directly control leg movements in walking, turning and climbing which in insects are found in thoracic ganglia. They will complement recent advances in motor control stemming from neurogenetic techniques from several other laboratories. Indeed, because similar interactions between higher brain systems and local reflexes exist in virtually all legged animals, including vertebrates, the results will have wide ranging neurobiological impact. Moreover, the PI has a long-term commitment to bringing knowledge of biological systems to the design of legged robots. As such, the project should also lead to more advanced robots that can move autonomously through tortuous terrain with less direction from a driver. The project will continue a successful record of training both graduate and undergraduate students. Students will have the opportunity to work directly with senior laboratory personnel on the project and a larger number of students will take part in a novel capstone course that brings together undergraduate biologists and engineers on semester-long projects related to this research.