Physiology, Neurobiology and Biomechanics

Neurobiology is the study of how nervous systems function. It is currently one of the largest and fastest growing areas of biology. At its most reductionist level neurobiology employs genetic and molecular approaches and at it extends to the level of whole animal behavior and social interactions.

Faculty Mentors

Barry Trimmer
Mimi Kao
Michael Levin
Michael Romero
Eric Tytell

Biology faculty and students in masks with butterfly cage

Faculty Advisor for this Concentration

Barry Trimmer

Henry Bromfield Pearson Professor of Natural Science

Currently we are pursuing the following major projects: Current Projects 1) Modulation of Nociception. — The ability to sense and respond to harmful events (nociception) is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom and in many animals results in a longer lasting sensation called pain. Nociception is a distinct sensory modality that promotes the avoidance of damaging interactions using molecular mechanisms that are well-conserved from single cell organisms to humans. Nociception typically elicits strong responses, such as aggressive or avoidance movements, but these must be chosen appropriately and enhanced (hyperalgesia) or suppressed (hypoalgesia), depending on the circumstances. Our laboratory uses an insect, the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta, as a model system to study the neurobiology of nociception and its modulation. 2) Neuromechanics of Locomotion — Animal locomotion is an intricate interplay between neural processes and biomechanics. These components have co-evolved to form "neuromechanical" control systems in which neural commands organize actions and the structures and materials of the body translate these commands into movements. In some cases structures are able to accomplish movements with relatively little or no command input, but most behaviors in natural environments require intricate neural patterning. In animals that have stiff skeletons (such as vertebrates and adult stage arthropods), these motor programs rely on the constraints imposed by joints to reduce the degrees of freedom and simplify control. In contrast to animals with skeletons, soft animals do not have the same limits on movements; they can deform in complex ways and have virtually unlimited degrees of freedom. One of our major research goals is to identify how soft animals control their movements in a computationally efficient manner using the principles of embodiment and morphological computation. 3) SoftWorm Robots — a soft machine development platform — Based on extensive neuromechanical studies of soft bodied locomotion in animals, we have developed a family of actuated modules that are being used as development platforms for soft robots. These robots are about 10-15 cm long and weigh between 4g and 30g. Earlier designs were fabricated by vacuum casting silicone elastomers into 3D-printed molds, our current methods include printing the devices in a soft rubbery polymer using a multi-material 3D printer. These devices are actuated with shape-memory alloy (SMA) microcoils that can be controlled with current pulses. We have also constructed similar robots with back-drivable Maxon motors coupled to the body using flexible "tendons". The body shapes can be changed to any desired form, but most of our current prototypes resemble caterpillars or worms. They can crawl, inch or roll and even climb steep inclines. 4) Tissue Engineering of Novel Devices — One of our long-term goals is to "grow" robotic devices using a combination of biosynthetic materials, cellular modulation, and tissue engineering. In collaboration with Professors Kaplan and Levin we are exploring both invertebrate and vertebrate cell culture and regeneration systems to structure muscles and supporting tissues on scaffolds of biomaterials. These scaffolds could be degradable or allowed to remain as part of an operational biorobot. Such biological devices will be controlled using the simulation tools developed for synthetic soft robots and will exploit recent advances in soft material electronics. For these cell-based systems, we are generating bundles of contractile skeletal muscle tissue using insect muscle cells. These constructs will be engineered to contract in a controlled, coordinated fashion for eventual use as motors in soft robots. Insect cells offer novel features, such as high force, low oxygen demand, and low sterility requirements that are particularly advantageous. This work is also being applied in the field of Cellular Agriculture to develop sustainable ethical food production.

Suggested Program of Study and Appropriate Courses

Year 1
- Two research Rotations (PhD students only, 1 rotation per semester); research rotations are registered as courses (Bio 253) – they are generally done with faculty in the Biology Department, but mentors outside the department can also be enlisted
- (or first year that you are a teaching assistant): All students that are Teaching assistants are required to take Pedagogy (Bio260)
Year 1 or 2

Either Seminar in Evolutionary Ecology (Bio 244) or Seminar in Physiology, Neurobiology and Biomechanics (Bio245 – currently in development) (offered in alternate years)
Biology Department Courses
- Developmental Biology (Bio103)
- Endocrinology (Bio110)
- General Physiology (Bio115)
- Physiology of Movement (Bio 117)
- Biophysics (Bio119)
- Animal Behavior (Bio 130)
- Biostatistics (Bio132)
- Neurobiology (Bio134)
- Special topics courses (Bio 195/196)
- Science Communication (Bio 262)
- Special Topics (Bio 293/294)
Courses in Other Departments
- Artificial Intelligence (Comp sci 131)
- Brain and Behavior (Psych 103)
- Psychopharmacology (Psych 123)
- Behavioral Endocrinology (Psych 127)
- Cognitive Neuroscience (Psych 129)
- Biopsychology (Psych 231)
- Advanced Special Topics (Math 150)