Neuroscience at the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Photomicrograph of estrogen-receptor immunostaining
in the guinea pig hypothalamus

Overview

As we enter the twenty-first century, neuroscience, the most challenging of all human frontiers is still in a relatively early stage of exploration. All voluntary and involuntary actions, perceptions, feelings, and thoughts are controlled by the brain and nervous system, yet the most fundamental questions about how these events are accomplished remain to be answered. At present, neuroscientists around the world are investigating an ever-expanding domain of problems, and doing so with enormous energy and excitement. Indeed, the field of neuroscience and behavior has become a powerful intellectual "supermagnet" attracting researchers from virtually every other scientific field, ranging from physics, chemistry, and molecular biology to cognitive psychology and psychiatry. Recent history suggests that the rapid development of innovative techniques will continue to drive an explosive growth in knowledge and interdisciplinary collaborations that will produce myriad opportunities for unraveling the complexities of behavior and mental processes.

Key Research Thrusts

Neuroendocrinology
Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience
Animal Behavior, Learning, and Systems Neuroscience
Neural and Behavioral Correlates of Development

Research Support

The Neuroscience and Behavior Program received approximately $10 million in sponsored research funding in FY 2004 and 2005. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, funding to support this research also comes through the following departments: Biology, Computer Science, Entomology, Exercise Science, Microbiology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Psychology, Veterinary and Animal Sciences.

Centers

Autonomous Learning Laboratory (ALL)

The Autonomous Learning Laboratory (ALL) is located in the Department of Computer Science and carries out foundational interdisciplinary research on machine learning and computational models of biological learning.

Center for Neuroendocrine Studies

The Center for Neuroendocrine Studies (CNS) consists of the research groups of seventeen faculty members who share an interest in understanding the relationships among hormones, the brain, physiology, and behavior.

Laboratory Facilities

Central Microscopy Facility

The Central Microscopy Facility provides a complete range of services in light and electron microscopy and computer image processing, with special emphasis on biological applications.

Molecular and Cellular Biology Facility

The Molecular and Cellular Biology Core Facility includes a flow cytofluorometry laboratory, a phosphorimager and an amino acid analyzer.

For more information on neuroscience facilities, search the campus' facilities database at www.umassrefs.info.

*Source: UMass Office of Grants & Contracts Administration

Updated 6/1/06