This NATO volume presents an excellent overview of new and exciting results on neurons and neural nets, including single cell properties such as ionic channels, sensory transduction, synaptic release; the dynamics of neural networks and circuits; and modeling the nervous system. The topics range from molecular neuroscience, plasticity, and development, to the experimental and theoretical analysis of neuronal assemblies such as the cerebellum, hippocampus, and cortex. The contributors present different approaches, from multi-electrode arrays to optical techniques, and the work presented is...

Understanding how the brain works is undoubtedly the greatest challenge for human intelligence and one of the most ambitious goals of contemporary science. We are certainly far from this goal, but significant advancements in several fields of Neuroscience and Neurobiology are being obtained at an increasing pace. The NATO ASI School in Neurobiology, held in Erice May 2-12,1995, as the 23rd Course of the International School of Biophysics, provided an update on three basic topics: Biophysics and Molecular Biology ofIon Channels, Sensory Transduction, and Higher Order Functions. Current...

How can we obtain tools able to process and exchange information at the molecular scale? In order to do this, it is necessary to activate and detect single molecules under controlled conditions. This book focuses on the generation of biologically-inspired molecular devices. These devices are based on the developments of new photonic tools able to activate and stimulate single molecule machines. Additionally, new light sensitive molecules can be selectively activated by photonic tools.

These devices are based on the developments of new photonic tools able to activate and stimulate single molecule machines. These technological innovations will provide a way to control activation of single light-sensitive molecules, allowing the investigation of molecular computation in a biological environment.