Neuroscience & brain science
Neuroscience investigates the structure and function of nervous systems, with particular focus on understanding the brain and its role in generating behavior, cognition, and consciousness.
The field combines molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to understand how neural circuits process information and generate complex behaviors. Central challenges include understanding consciousness, mapping neural circuits at unprecedented resolution, and developing technologies to interface directly with the brain for therapeutic purposes.
Neuroscience is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing from biology, psychology, physics, engineering, and computer science to tackle some of the most profound questions about the nature of mind and behavior.
The 10 neuroscience & brain science problems
* These are just preliminary ideas and do not represent final problems of the Berkeley 100 Challenge. The final problems will be determined by our Scientific Committees.
Consciousness Measurement Framework
Complete Neural Circuit Mapping
Memory Engram Reading and Writing
Brain-Machine Interface for Complete Neural Prosthetics
Unified Theory of Neuromodulation
Complete Neural Development Atlas
Neural Basis of Subjective Experience
Whole-Brain Neural Activity Recorder
Learning and Memory Molecular Mechanism
Brain-to-Brain Communication Interface
Neuroscience and brain science problem sample
* These are just preliminary ideas and do not represent final problems of the Berkeley 100 Challenge. The final problems will be determined by our Scientific Committees.
Learning and Memory Molecular Mechanism
Problem Statement:
Establish a complete molecular and cellular account of learning and memory formation, consolidation, and retrieval, identifying all critical molecules, signaling pathways, and cellular processes from initial encoding to long-term storage.
Evaluation Criteria:
Comprehensive molecular inventory of all stages of memory processing
Causal demonstration of necessity and sufficiency for key components
Explanatory model spanning synaptic, cellular, and systems levels
Accounting for different memory types (episodic, semantic, procedural)
Prediction of memory formation success from molecular signatures
Translation between different model systems and humans
Development of interventions to enhance specific memory processes
Feasibility Assessment:
Very challenging, likely requiring 10-20 years. Requires integration across molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience. Progress in technologies for monitoring and manipulating specific molecules in behaving animals, large-scale multi-omic profiling, and computational modeling of molecular networks would be important precursors.
Impact on the Field:
Would transform our understanding of memory from descriptive to mechanistic, potentially enabling precise interventions to enhance learning or mitigate memory disorders. Would establish the molecular basis of neural plasticity with implications for education, rehabilitation, and artificial learning systems.
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