Post-Genomic Perspectives in Modeling and Control of Breathing

Abstract

Robustness and flexibility of neuro-biological systems are important parameters to consider with respect to possible gene-behavior links. On the one hand, respiration is an exceptionally reliable and continuous rhythmic behaviour, so that the rhythmic neuronal network requires strict biological specifications because it becomes vital after birth. Thus, rhythm generation is a robust mechanism that persists in a variety of reduced states and preparations. Many contributors in the present volume illustrate the efficiency of such an in vitro strategy. This has provided extremely powerful approaches for examining many issues of interest at the cellular and molecular levels such as rhythm generation, network configuration, synaptic transmission, neuromodulation and signal transduction. On the other hand, the respiratory behaviour has to be highly flexible and to continuously adapt so that it remains appropriate in the face of ever changing conditions. One of the major successes of the Oxford Conference series has been to include a balanced contribution from molecular and cellular biologists, modelers and human physiologists, which together show that respiratory physiology has developed a unique experience in examining complex, integrated behaviors such as the ventilatory responses to exercise, hypoxia or sleep in animals and humans.