rmed experimentally in a number of laboratories around the world. Much of the Institute's approach is based on this theory, which uses principles of evolution by selection known to be applicable to biology in general and also, for example, to the immune system.
On October 1, 2012, The Neurosciences Institute moved to new quarters in the village of La Jolla, where a vigorous theoretical research program continues. The focus is on understanding how consciousness arises from the activity of the nervous system, one of the most challenging subjects in neuroscience.
From 1995 until the recent move, the Institute also carried out laboratory research in a number of areas including molecular biology of gene regulation, cellular and systems neurophysiology, neural plasticity, genetics of behavior, syntactic processing of music and language, and the temporal dynamics of auditory perception. During this period, the Institute was housed in an architecturally renowned complex on the campus of The Scripps Research Institute on Torrey Pines Mesa in San Diego. The complex includes an acoustically superb auditorium, which, through the Performing Arts at The Neurosciences Institute program, was made available at no charge for some 16 years to many non-profit performing arts groups in San Diego. Use of the auditorium is now controlled by its owner, The Scripps Research Institute. For current information see the Auditorium at Scripps website.
From its founding in 1981 until its move to San Diego, the Institute was located on the campus of The Rockefeller University in New York City. In addition to its own research efforts, the Institute acted as a unique center in which visiting scientists could meet, exchange ideas, and plan new research. Over 900 visiting scientists from 140 institutions and 24 countries participated in conferences, workshops, symposia, or courses at the Institute or were Visiting Fellows for periods of several weeks to several months.
The Institute is also the home of the Neurosciences Research Program (NRP), an informal college founded to promote interdisciplinary studies of the brain. At any one time, there are 36 NRP Associates from institutions around the world; these distinguished scientists serve seven-year terms before becoming Honorary Associates. The group meets each year and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012.
Neurosciences Research Foundation, Incorporated, is the public charity that is the Institute's parent organization. Originally formed in 1962, the Foundation carries out its scientific research and educational programs under the name of The Neurosciences Institute. The Foundation is exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.