Lab

Our Research

The mechanisms governing synaptic transmission are critical to our understanding of how information is transmitted in the brain, yet they remain among the most fundamental unresolved questions in neurobiology. Moreover, defects in synaptic processes underlie numerous neurological diseases, including Fragile X syndrome, autism and Alzheimer’s disease.

The goal of our research program is to develop and apply nanoscale resolution approaches to understand the fundamental mechanisms of synaptic transmission in central synapses under normal conditions, and how disruptions in synaptic functions lead to disease states, particularly Fragile X syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.

Teaching

Course Name	Course Number	Course Description
Cellular Neurophysiology	BME 5902	This course examines the biophysical concepts of synaptic function with the focus on the mechanisms of neural signal… processing at synapses and elementary circuits. The course combines lectures and discussion sessions of primary research papers. Topics include synaptic and dendritic structure, electrical properties of axons and dendrites, synaptic transmission, rapid and long-term forms of synaptic plasticity, information analysis by synapses and basic neuronal circuits, principles of information coding, mechanisms of learning and memory, function of synapses in sensory systems, models of synaptic disease states such as Parkinson and Alzheimer’s diseases. Additionally, a set of lectures is devoted to modern electrophysiological and imaging techniques, and modeling approaches to study synapses and neural circuits.
Cellular Neurobiology	BIO 5571	Lab demonstrations for cellular electrophysiological techniques, nanoscale imaging approaches.
Neural Systems	BIO 5651	Lab demonstrations for electrophysiological techniques to study neural circuits, advanced imaging techniques.