Modern Techniques in Neuroscience Research

ISBN-13: 9783642636431 / Angielski / Miękka / 2013 / 1328 str.

Uwe Windhorst; Hakan Johansson

Opis

Nothing tends so much to the advancement of knowledge as the application of a new instrument. - Sir Humphry Davy, 1778-1829 Neuroscience has become a rapidly expanding endeavor that relies on a number of other sciences, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer sci- ence, general biology and medicine, genetics etc. In fact, many of its recent success- es result from the application of ideas and methods borrowed from these fields. In- sofar, it is a true interdisciplinary undertaking. This convergence of influences ac- counts for part of its enormous attractiveness and fascination to students and re- searchers from diverse walks of life, or science, for that matter. It is probably fair to say that a great number of neuroscience's most creative and productive proponents have been lured into this field not only by the excitement about the possibility to un- mask the secrets of the human mind, but also by the appeal of a vast unknown land needing cultivation and tools to cultivate it. Danger may arise for any science if it is dominated by methods and techniques of investigation rather than by problems to be solved and concepts to be developed. This might concentrate efforts onto the technically feasible and doable, rather than On the real issues. But, On the other hand, especially the young and growing sciences are heavily dependent on the development and application of methods, often even before a problem relying on these methods may become apparent.

Spis treści

Preface U. Windhorst and H. Johansson.-Section I: Molecular and Single Cell Level Techniques (8 chapters).-Section II: Techniques at Tissue Level (17 chapters).-Section III: Techniques at the Organismic Level (20 chapters).-Section IV: General Techniques (one chapter).-Subject Index

Blurb

Neuroscience has become a rapidly expanding young science that relies on a number of other sciences and their methods. For that reason it is a truly interdisciplinary and inter-methodological undertaking of much fascination to many. In this spirit, this book attempts at presenting an overview of the techniques currently used in modern neuroscience research. By doing so, it is also an introduction into neuroscience itself, from the angle of methods available to tackle prevailing questions. Many questions can only be answered by combining methods borrowed from different fields. Building on this insight, this book's organizing principle is the investigation of levels of the nervous system, from molecular and cellular to whole organisms. The reasons are twofold. First, certain organizational levels can be optimally studied and potentially understood only by applying an array of diverse techniques. Second, it is important to avoid succumbing to the danger of pure technicality, which might arise from ordering the description of techniques according to their inherent principles of coherence (e.g. staining vs. electrophysiological techniques). In addition, this book aims at providing a direct working tool for the user in the laboratory and clinic and thus addresses all active neuroscience researchers, from graduate students to supervisors. The main emphasis in terms of layout is on detailed step-by-step protocols including personal tips and recommendations. Most chapters or protocols are organized so that they can be used independently. Moreover, cross-references to other techniques in other chapters, which are aimed at studying the same object(s) from a different angle, help create the pertinent context.