What does neurobiologist mean?
A neurobiologist is a scientist who investigates the biological foundations of the nervous system. Their work may focus on neurons, neural circuits, brain development, memory, behavior, or the molecular mechanisms underlying perception and movement. Unlike a neurologist, who is a medical doctor trained to diagnose and treat nervous-system disorders, a neurobiologist primarily conducts scientific research, although the two fields often collaborate. Neurobiology overlaps with neuroscience, psychology, anatomy, physiology, cell biology, and genetics. The word is especially useful for distinguishing laboratory research about how the brain and nervous system function from clinical medicine concerned with disease and patient care. A neurobiologist may work in a university, hospital, research institute, biotechnology company, or government laboratory.
nounA scientist who studies the biology of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and the cells and mechanisms through which they function.
- A scientist who studies the nervous system and its biological processes.
"The neurobiologist investigated how neural circuits encode memory."
"A neurobiologist at the research institute studies how neurons form connections."
"She discussed her latest findings with a group of neurobiologists."
The regular plural is used when referring to more than one scientist in this field.
"Neurobiologists from several countries attended the conference."
A neurobiologist explores how nervous systems operate, while a neurologist treats what can go wrong in them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does neurobiologist come from?
The word is formed from English neuro-, from Greek neuron, meaning “nerve,” and biologist, from biology. Biology itself combines Greek bios, meaning “life,” with -logy, from Greek logos, meaning “study” or “discourse.” The combined term reflects the discipline's position between the biological study of nerve cells and the broader scientific study of nervous-system function. Related cognates include neurology, neurology's derivative neuron, and the parallel scientific ending found in physiology and psychology.
Related word forms
How neurobiologist is actually used
The term is broad and can refer to specialists in cellular, molecular, cognitive, developmental, or computational neurobiology. It normally identifies a research scientist rather than a clinician.
Easily confused with neurobiologist
A neurobiologist conducts scientific research on the nervous system, whereas a neurologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats nervous-system disorders.