Nature-inspired neuroscience.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Comparative Biology
• Sensory Systems

Background:

• Neuroscience has historically relied on a limited number of model organisms.
• This narrow focus overlooks the vast diversity of neural architectures and behaviors in the animal kingdom.
• Canonical models offer established tools and community support but represent a small fraction of natural variation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the use of a more diverse range of organisms in neuroscience research.
• To highlight the value of studying diverse sensory systems to understand the neural basis of behavior.
• To demonstrate how nature's variation can inspire new discoveries in neurobiology.

Main Methods:

• Examining diverse sensory systems (e.g., moth navigation, dragonfish vision, octopus touch) as case studies.
• Leveraging advancements in species-agnostic tools such as behavioral tracking, gene editing, and electrophysiology.
• Comparing neural mechanisms across a broad spectrum of animal life.

Main Results:

• Studies of diverse systems reveal novel mechanisms for sensory processing.
• Examples include moths using celestial cues, deep-sea fish detecting specific light wavelengths, and octopuses with chemosensory suckers.
• Striking examples of convergent evolution in neural solutions to sensory challenges are observed.

Conclusions:

• A nature-inspired approach embracing animal diversity is crucial for groundbreaking discoveries in neuroscience.
• Studying a wider array of brains can uncover general principles of nervous system organization.
• Expanding the diversity of model organisms will broaden the scope of biological phenomena investigated.