探究睡眠调控的神经机制是神经科学的重要难题。一方面，对睡眠的理解将揭示脑部高度同步的特殊活动状态与意识、记忆等重要功能的联系；另一方面，明确睡眠起始及睡眠对于全身各项功能的协同调控机制对于治疗睡眠相关疾病有重要的启示作用。

1.完善睡眠调控的全脑神经介观连接图谱 

我们将采用多种前沿的技术手段，包括活动依赖性遗传标记技术、RNA测序、病毒介导的解剖学示踪技术、光和药物遗传学、在体钙成像以及体内多通道实时记录等，精确标记、调控和记录参与睡眠特定类型的神经元，完善睡眠调控的全脑神经介观连接图谱。

2.探究睡眠调控的相关信号分子 

基于以上的工作，我们将从与睡眠调控相关的脑区寻找睡眠活动相关信号分子。通过对睡眠调控的环路中细胞的转录组分析，我们将寻找可能的信号受体和信号分子，从而进行基因水平的验证和相关配体/抑制剂的开发。

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