Tools for manipulating neuronal activity for behavioural studies

该项目旨在开发神经科学家可以用来更好地了解大脑电路和特定神经元对行为的功能影响的光遗传学工具。将大脑中单个神经元的活动与特定行为联系起来是神经科学的一个重大挑战。光遗传学通过使用光来控制神经元的活动来实现这一点。这促进了对行为和神经回路的理解。该项目预计将增加对细胞和系统层面大脑功能的理解，并推进澳大利亚在神经科学、认知科学和纳米生物技术方面的多学科研究能力，以最终治疗神经系统疾病。

This project aims to develop optogenetic tools neuroscientists can use to better understand brain circuitry and the functional effects of specific neurons on behaviour. Linking the activity of individual neurons in the brain to specific behaviours is a major challenge in neuroscience. Optogenetics achieve this by using light to control the activity of neurons. This has advanced understanding of behaviour and neurocircuitry. This project is expected to increase understanding of brain function at the cellular and system levels, and advance Australia’s multidisciplinary research capacity in neuroscience, cognitive sciences and nanobiotechnology to ultimately treat neurological disorders.