Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (RAMIS) is a highly complex sensorimotor task. The architecture of current RAMIS platforms enables surgeons to use master manipulators to precisely and intuitively control surgical instruments to complete intricate procedures. However, a comprehensive understanding of surgeon sensorimotor behavior is lacking. In this chapter, we discuss a research avenue that seeks to improve RAMIS by applying ideas from basic science and, in turn, to further develop these ideas to improve our fundamental understanding of human sensorimotor coordination. We discuss why RAMIS could serve as an excellent research platform, as well as what general assumptions are made when applying theories to RAMIS. In the end, we believe that RAMIS provides an exciting opportunity for integrated research in robotics and sensorimotor behavior.