A framework for integrating the songbird brain (original) (raw)

Abstract.

Biological systems by default involve complex components with complex relationships. To decipher how biological systems work, we assume that one needs to integrate information over multiple levels of complexity. The songbird vocal communication system is ideal for such integration due to many years of ethological investigation and a discreet dedicated brain network. Here we announce the beginnings of a songbird brain integrative project that involves high-throughput, molecular, anatomical, electrophysiological and behavioral levels of analysis. We first formed a rationale for inclusion of specific biological levels of analysis, then developed high-throughput molecular technologies on songbird brains, developed technologies for combined analysis of electrophysiological activity and gene regulation in awake behaving animals, and developed bioinformatic tools that predict causal interactions within and between biological levels of organization. This integrative brain project is fitting for the interdisciplinary approaches taken in the current songbird issue of the Journal of Comparative Physiology A and is expected to be conducive to deciphering how brains generate and perceive complex behaviors.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Box 3209, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA, , , , ,
    E. Jarvis, V. Smith, K. Wada, M. McElroy & T. Smulders
  2. Department of Cell Biology, Box 3709, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA, , , , ,
    M. Rivas
  3. Genome Science Laboratory, Riken Wako Main Campus, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan, , , , ,
    P. Carninci
  4. Laboratory for Genome Exploration Research Group, RIKEN Genomic Science Center (GSC), RIKEN Yokohama Institute, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan, , , , ,
    Y. Hayashizaki
  5. Duke Center for Genome Technology, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3568, Durham, NC 27710, USA, , , , ,
    F. Dietrich & X. Wu
  6. Duke Bioinformatics Shared Resource, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3958, Durham, NC 27710, USA, , , , ,
    P. McConnell & S. Lin
  7. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Box 90291, Durham, NC 27708, USA, , , , ,
    J. Yu & P. Wang
  8. Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Box 90129, Durham, NC 27708, USA, , , , ,
    A. Hartemink

Authors

  1. E. Jarvis
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. V. Smith
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  3. K. Wada
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  4. M. Rivas
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  5. M. McElroy
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  6. T. Smulders
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  7. P. Carninci
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  8. Y. Hayashizaki
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  9. F. Dietrich
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  10. X. Wu
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  11. P. McConnell
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  12. J. Yu
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  13. P. Wang
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  14. A. Hartemink
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  15. S. Lin
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Electronic Publication

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jarvis, .E., Smith, .V., Wada, .K. et al. A framework for integrating the songbird brain.J Comp Physiol A 188, 961–980 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-002-0358-y

Download citation