Measuring the Brain: From the synapse to thought

了解人类大脑的结构和化学组成在世纪以来一直是一个持久的智力挑战。最近，美国投入了大量的资源、工具和努力来推进大脑的知识，白宫的BRAIN倡议（通过推进创新神经技术进行大脑研究）就是一个例子。虽然已经开展了一些项目来探索从基础科学到更好地了解人类健康的具体方向，但化学在应对这一重大挑战中的作用尚未得到充分探索。该研讨会汇集了化学和测量科学与神经科学领域的主要利益相关者。目标是研究和阐明一条前进的道路，创造新的化学工具，代表不同的经验和学科。鉴于大脑作为现代社会，科学和研究的关键主题的核心作用，本次研讨会的主题提供了一个丰富的机会，通过汇集多学科的科学家群体来实现广泛的影响。他们共同提供了独特的视角，并为未来十年化学在推进神经科学中的作用创造了研究蓝图。讲习班的成果通过技术报告和非专业报告的网络出版物广泛传播。通过在分析化学和神经科学会议上组织的专题讨论会传播研讨会摘要和其他成果，使两个社区都了解研讨会的结果。推进对大脑的理解已经成为一项重大挑战，使用了相当大一部分的国家研究工作，如BRAIN倡议的多机构努力。从基础科学到对人类健康的更深入了解，生物科学一直在引领这一潮流。有了前所未有的知识和测量工具，现在是时候制定一条战略路径，让化学界在帮助应对这一重大挑战方面发挥作用了。这个研讨会产生了一个计划，使大脑组织，活动和功能的新的理解跨后生动物。 输出是一组有针对性的目标，概述了化学科学中神经科学的机会和新方向。此外，它还确定了未来十年应对化学和测量挑战所需的重点领域和投资。举个例子，大脑的全部组成部分仍然是未知的，更不用说这些部分如何、何时以及在哪里一起工作了。获取这些信息是一个重要的分析前沿。讲习班正在确定这些挑战，并提出化学测量进展的核心战略。

Understanding the structure and chemical makeup of the human brain has remained an enduring intellectual challenge for more than a century. More recently, the nation has devoted considerable resources, tools, and efforts to advancing knowledge of the brain, as exemplified by the White House BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies). While a number of projects have been undertaken to explore specific directions, from fundamental science to a greater understanding of human health, the role of chemistry in meeting this grand challenge is underexplored. This workshop brings together leading stakeholders in the chemical and measurement sciences with those in the neurosciences. The goal is to examine and articulate a path forward for creating new chemistry tools, representing varied experiences and disciplines. Given the central role of the brain as a key topic in modern society, science, and research, the subject of this workshop presents a rich opportunity for achieving broad impact by bringing together a multidisciplinary group of scientists. Together they are providing unique perspectives and creating a research blueprint for the role of chemistry in advancing neuroscience over the coming decade. The results of the workshop are disseminated widely through web publication of both technical and lay reports. A workshop summary and other outcomes are disseminated via symposia organized at analytical chemistry and neuroscience meetings so as to make both communities aware of the workshop results.Advancing the understanding of the brain has become a significant challenge using a considerable fraction of the nation's research efforts, as exemplified by the multi-institutional efforts of the BRAIN Initiative. From fundamental science to a greater understanding of human health, the charge has been led by the biological sciences. With unprecedented knowledge and measurement tools, now is the time to chart a strategic path forward in terms of the roles that the chemistry community can play in helping to meet this grand challenge. This workshop generates a plan to enable new understanding of brain organization, activity, and function across the metazoan. The output is a targeted set of goals, outlining opportunities and novel directions for neuroscience within the chemical sciences. Furthermore, it identifies areas of focus and the investments required to address the chemical and measurement challenges over the coming decade. As an example, the full parts list of the brain is still unknown, much less how, when, and where these parts work together. Obtaining this information represents a major analytical frontier. The workshop is identifying such challenges and proposing strategies that are at the heart of advances in chemical measurements.