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 NameCourse NumberCourse Description
Cellular NeurophysiologyBME 5902This 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 NeurobiologyBIO 5571Lab demonstrations for cellular electrophysiological techniques, nanoscale imaging approaches.
Neural SystemsBIO 5651Lab demonstrations for electrophysiological techniques to study neural circuits, advanced imaging techniques.

Current Lab Members

Vitaly Klyachko, PhD

Vitaly Klyachko, PhD

Principle Investigator

Pan-Yue Deng, MD, PhD

Pan-Yue Deng, MD, PhD

Research Assistant Professor

Jongyun Myeong

Jongyun Myeong

Staff Scientist


Former Lab Members

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Shadow Kaimeng Du

Undergraduate Student

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Luca Forte, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Mike Graber

Undergraduate Student

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Stephen Gradwohl

Undergraduate Student

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Michael Gramlich, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Umasankar Kandaswamy, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Kyle Ortjen

Undergraduate Student

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Amy Peng, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Ziv Rotman, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Ian Schillebeeckx

Undergraduate Student

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Eric Schwartz

Undergraduate Student

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David Sojka, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Matthiew Strulson, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Anubodh Varshney

Undergraduate Student

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Sarah Wahlstrom Helgren

Graduate Student

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Zhinlin Yue

Graduate Student