From Cell Physiology to Emerging Brain Functions

The ultimate aim of neuroscience is to provide understanding on the causal relationships between molecular and cellular phenomena and the emergence of behavior as well as neurological conditions. Reaching this goal depends on the ability to bridge the gap between molecular and systemic fields of neuroscience. For instance, it is necessary to be able to probe how the expression of one or a cascade of proteins (e.g. a membrane receptor, an intracellular scaffolding of trafficking protein, etc…) influences microcircuit computation and eventually the behavior. In the recent decades, the gap is rapidly being closed by development of novel methodologies, especially such as involving genetic engineering (e.g. CRISPR-Cas9), biochemistry (TRAP) as well as optogenetic approaches. These tools now allow specific control and monitoring of precisely defined neuronal elements both in vitro and in vivo (notably in awake, freely-behaving animals), thereby directly inspecting the causal roles of their function.

This Research Topic will focus on the opportunities given by the combination of new state-of-the-art methods to interrogate brain microcircuits spanning multiple organizational levels with high spatiotemporal precision. Therefore, we would like to invite the submission of original articles that would interrogate brain function on several levels of organization: cell to network, network to mesoscale communication or behavior.

We would also greatly appreciate the submission of review articles that would recapitulate the description of a new pathway from the molecular/cellular level to network/behavior levels. These articles will be an important demonstration of the power of fundamental research for the development of new strategies for the compensation of neurological dysfunctions and diseases. They may become an invaluable cornerstone for students and professors involved in the dissemination of knowledge.