The interface of chemical biology and the nervous system (related to the NIDA Chemical Genomics Symposium)

On July 17–18, 2009, an eclectic group of chemical biologists, systems biologists, and neuroscientists gathered in Portland, Oregon to discuss grand challenges facing the field of chemical genomics as applied to the nervous system. This NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse)-sponsored symposium covered many themes and topics, which after lively discussion, were encapsulated in the following major challenges: (1) toward a complete inventory of the molecular components of neural signaling pathways (de-orphanizing receptors that lack ligands and, conversely, ligands that lack receptors); (2) toward a complete neuro-pharmacopoeia, or the search for selective chemical tools to dissect the function of large protein families pervasive in the nervous system (enzymes, receptors, channels); (3) systems neurochemistry, or the advancement of pharmacological, chemical genetic, and analytical tools to map intra- and inter-cellular neuronal networks with high spatial and temporal resolution; and (4) next-generation functional screens, or the development of advanced biochemical, cellular, and animal assays to identify small-molecules that affect complex neurobiological processes. Each of these challenges stands as a fundamental barrier to our understanding of the nervous system and its associated pathologies. Solutions to these problems will require an intense, multi-disciplinary, and collaborative effort, wherein we envision chemical and systems biology will play central roles.

As a product of this exciting symposium, we present herein a series of primary and review articles from meeting participants that touch on the aforementioned themes. We hope you enjoy these articles, which convey both the thrilling opportunities and challenges that face chemical and systems biologists as they attempt to apply their innovative technologies to unravel the mysteries of the nervous system and its role in regulating human physiology and behavior.

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