The Neurobiology group is devoted to research on the nervous system, using a combination of molecular, cellular and integrative approaches. To understand how the brain carries out its functions, we need to understand the properties of nerve cells and the way in which they encode and transmit information.

Neurobiologists seek to explain the mechanisms that account for behavior and for cognitive higher functions in terms of sensory signals, integration and motor output. To carry out such complex studies, a variety of experimental approaches and scientific disciplines are required, ranging from mathematics and physics to biology.

The Neurobiology group represents a unique group of scientists in Italy and even in Europe thanks to the close interactions between those disciplines, all represented at SISSA at an extraordinarily high level. Thus, collaborations are established between physicists, mathematicians and biologists who work in close proximity on the three dimensional structure of proteins of key importance for neurobiology.

Similarly the shared interests of the areas of Cognitive neuroscience (largely concerned with higher functions in man) and Neurobiology have led to collaborations with the area of Mathematics for the development of neurocomputational models of brain functions. One specialized division of the Neurobiology area is devoted to the study of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, Huntington and Prion's disease) and regeneration after injury.

Additional information about the courses and the research activity can be found at http://www.sissa.it/nb/