The GENESIS Simulation System

GENESIS (the GEneral NEural Simulation System) was developed as a research tool to provide a standard and flexible means for constructing structurally realistic models of biological neural systems. "Structurally realistic" simulations are computer-based implementations of models whose primary objective is to capture what is known of the anatomical structure and physiological characteristics of the neural system of interest. The GENESIS project is based on the belief that progress in understanding structure-function relationships in the nervous system specifically, or in biology in general, will increasingly require the development and use of structurally realistic models (Bower, 1995). It is our view that only through this type of modeling will general principles of neural or biological function emerge.