The full functionality of the brain is determined by its molecular, cellular and circuit structure. Modern neuroscience now prioritizes the mapping of whole brain connectomes by detecting all direct neuron to neuron synaptic connections, a feat first accomplished for C. elegans, a full reconstruction of a 302-neuron nervous system. Efforts at Janelia Research Campus will soon reconstruct the whole brain connectomes of a larval and an adult Drosophila. These connectomes will provide a framework for incorporating detailed neural circuit information that Drosophila neuroscientists have gathered over decades. But when viewed in the context of a whole brain, it becomes difficult to isolate the contributions of distinct circuits, whether sensory systems or higher brain regions. The complete wiring diagram tells us that sensory information is not only processed in separate channels, but that even the earliest sensory layers are strongly synaptically interconnected. In the higher brain, long-range projections densely interconnect major brain regions and convergence centers that integrate input from different sensory systems. Furthermore, we also need to understand the impact of neuronal communication beyond direct synaptic modulation. Nevertheless, all of this can be pursued with Drosophila, combining connectomics with a diverse array of genetic tools and behavioral paradigms that provide effective approaches to entire brain function.

中文翻译：

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果蝇中的功能连接组。

大脑的全部功能由其分子、细胞和电路结构决定。现代神经科学现在通过检测所有直接神经元到神经元突触的连接来优先绘制全脑连接组，这是首次为秀丽隐杆线虫完成的壮举，是对 302 个神经元神经系统的完全重建。Janelia 研究园区的努力将很快重建幼虫和成年果蝇的整个大脑连接组。这些连接组将提供一个框架，用于整合果蝇神经科学家几十年来收集的详细神经回路信息。但是当在整个大脑的背景下观察时，很难分离不同回路的贡献，无论是感觉系统还是更高的大脑区域。完整的接线图告诉我们，感觉信息不仅在单独的通道中处理，而且即使是最早的感觉层也通过突触紧密相连。在高级大脑中，远程投影将主要大脑区域和融合中心紧密相连，这些中心整合了来自不同感觉系统的输入。此外，我们还需要了解超越直接突触调制的神经元交流的影响。尽管如此，所有这些都可以在果蝇身上进行，将连接组学与各种遗传工具和行为范式相结合，为整个大脑功能提供有效的方法。远距离投影将主要的大脑区域和整合来自不同感觉系统的输入的汇聚中心紧密相连。此外，我们还需要了解超越直接突触调制的神经元交流的影响。尽管如此，所有这些都可以在果蝇身上进行，将连接组学与各种遗传工具和行为范式相结合，为整个大脑功能提供有效的方法。远距离投影将主要的大脑区域和整合来自不同感觉系统的输入的汇聚中心紧密相连。此外，我们还需要了解超越直接突触调制的神经元交流的影响。尽管如此，所有这些都可以在果蝇身上进行，将连接组学与各种遗传工具和行为范式相结合，为整个大脑功能提供有效的方法。