Using synthetic evolution to study the brain: Researchers model key part of neurons

The human brain has evolved over millions of years to become a vast network of billions of neurons and synaptic connections. Understanding it is one of humankind's greatest pursuits. But to understand how the brain processes information, researchers must first understand the very basics of neurons -- even down to how proteins inside the neurons act to change the neuron's voltage. To do so requires a balance of experimentation and computer modeling -- a partnership across disciplines traversed by two professors at Northwestern University.