Nature-inspired neuroscience

The early decades of neuroscience drew inspiration from the rich diversity of animal life, but in recent years, the field has converged on a narrow set of canonical models. These organisms provide access to a wealth of scientific tools, a large community, and the ability to rapidly build on existing knowledge, but they represent only a small sample of the neural architectures and behaviors found in the animal kingdom. Here, we highlight the value of harnessing a more diverse panel of organisms to study the neural basis of behavior using the sensory systems as an example. From moths navigating using the Milky Way, to deep-sea dragonfish detecting far-red bioluminescence via a chlorophyll-derived photosensitizer, and octopuses tasting by touch through chemoreceptors in their suckers, studies of diverse systems reveal novel mechanisms for solving sensory challenges, as well as striking examples of convergence. Developments in species-agnostic scientific tools like behavioral tracking, gene editing, and electrophysiology are making it possible to study a broader array of organisms, enabling neurobiological comparisons inspired by the vast variation found in nature. We argue that a nature-inspired approach to neuroscience that considers the full diversity of brains in the animal kingdom will lead to new and unexpected biological discoveries, help reveal general principles of nervous system organization, and expand the breadth of biological phenomena that can be uncovered.