BioNEt/Institute of Neuroscience Workshop

Thursday-Friday 26-27 May 2005, Rooms 2.21/2.22, Research Beehive, Old Library Building, University of Newcastle. Attendance, refreshments and lunch are free. Register for event by emailing Dr Pamela Robinson at Enquiries and state if you would like to give an oral presentation or display a poster. Limited to 90 participants.

Neural Networks: Measurement and Adaptive Properties

Programme

Day 1: Thursday 26 May

9.30 Coffee and registration
10.00 Introduction
Colin Ingram, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Newcastle
10.05-12.30 Oral Session 1: Devices and challenges to recording from neural networks
Chairman: Evelyne Sernagor, Neurology, Neurobiology & Psychiatry, University of Newcastle
10.05 Genetically encoded sensor proteins: Good news for the investigation of neuronal networks
Thomas Knopfel, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Japan
10.40 Functional analysis of neuron and its application to nanobio device
Keiichi Torimitsu, Materials Science Lab, NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Japan
11.15 Recording from patterned networks using flexible MEA
Rongyu Tang, Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow
11.40 Penetrative multi-electrode arrays: Their use during in vitro studies of neural network dynamics
Roger Mason, NeuroServe Ltd, Cambridge
12.05 Multichannel electrochemical measurement for neurotransmitter distribution in a rat hippocampal slice
Nahoko Kasai, Materials Science Lab, NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Japan

12.30 Lunch

13.30-15.30 Oral Session 2: Emerging properties of neural networks
Chairman: Adrian Rees, Neurology, Neurobiology & Psychiatry, University of Newcastle
13.30 Properties of developing spinal networks: Studies using electroporation of calcium sensitive dyes
Michael O'Donovan, National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Strokes (NINDS), Maryland, USA
14.05 High frequency rhythms and their role in coordinating timing within neural networks
Miles Whittington, Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds
14.40 Organised neuronal networks in culture
Allison Beattie, Centre for Cell Engineering, University of Glasgow
15.05 Optical recordings of spontaneous activity in developing retinal networks
Evelyne Sernagor, Neurology, Neurobiology & Psychiatry, University of Newcastle

15.30 Tea

16.00-17.40 Oral Session 2 (continued)
16.00 The role of neural synchrony on perceptual binding in macaque area MT
Alex Thiele, Biology, University of Newcastle
16.25 Aspects of neuronal network function related to cortical sleep rhythms
Mark Cunningham, Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds
16.50 Analysis of multi-electrode recordings of spontaneous activity in developing mouse retina
Stephen Eglen, Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge
17.15 How the brain wires itself up
David Willshaw, Informatics, University of Edinburgh

17.40 Close of workshop

19.00 Dinner at Ali Baba Restaurant, Bigg Market, Newcastle

Day 2: Friday 27 May

09.00-11.05 Oral Session 3: Bio-engineering and modelling of neural networks
Chairman: Peter Simmons, Biology, University of Newcastle
09.00 Integrating biomolecular systems with semiconductors
Andrew Houlton, Natural Sciences, University of Newcastle
09.25 Conducting polymer electrodes for interfacing to neural networks
Tobias Nyberg, NTT Basic Research Laboratories, Japan
09.50 Development of functionalised arrays for the detection of transmitter release from neuronal cells in culture
Seung-Cheol Chang, Clinical & Laboratory Sciences, University of Newcastle
10.15 Bioinspired neural learning for robotics
Stefan Wermter, Computing & Technology, University of Sunderland
10.40 Coping with dynamic scenes: Evolutionary tuning of a neural network for collision detection
Shigang Yue, Biology, University of Newcastle

11.05 Coffee

11.30-13.00 Oral Session 4: Computation and analysis of network activity
Chairman: Stephen Eglen, Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Physics
11.30 Incorporating the properties of neural transmission and integration in chip function
Nick Wright, Electrical, Electronic & Computing Engineering, University of Newcastle
11.55 Design of silicon-based integrated circuits for direct monitoring of in vivo neural signals
Simon Johnson & Richard Curry, Engineering, University of Durham
12.20 The role of smoothing and thresholding in neuronal spike detection
Leslie Smith, Computing Science & Mathematics, University of Stirling
12.45 Activity pattern dynamics in high resolution EEG
Peter Andras, Computing Science, University of Newcastle

13.10 Lunch

14.00-16.00 Oral Session 5: Adaptive properties of neural networks
Chairman: Miles Whittington, Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds
14.00 Recording from populations (ensembles) of single hippocampal neurones from awake and behaving rats
Tom Smulders, Biology, University of Newcastle
14.25 Task dependent modulation of neuronal firing regularity
Stuart Baker, Clinical Medical Sciences, University of Newcastle
14.50 Application of of cascade analysis to simultaneously recorded motor cortical, cerebellar and EMG data
Benjamin Townsend, Institute of Neurology, University College London
15.15 A quantitative map of the circuit of cat primary visual cortex
Tom Binzegger, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Newcastle
15.40 Probing synaptic integration in neuronal networks by conductance injection
Hugh Robinson, Physiology, University of Cambridge
16.05 Adaptive changes in synaptic strength in a hippocampal neural network
Ruth Empson, Royal Holloway University of London

16.30 Tea

17.00 Round table discussion
Lead Discussant: Colin Ingram, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Newcastle

18.00 Close of workshop

Supported by BioNEt, CELS Ltd and European Regional Development Fund

Abstract

Some of the most important characteristics of nervous systems are the network properties that underlie information processing and coding and which generate functional outputs. Understanding these properties not only will hold the key to understanding how the brain works and how it adapts to pharmacological agents or pathological states, but will provide new avenues for the translation of biological systems into computational and engineering applications. Recent technical advances have led to the development of devices that enable researchers to measure and modify the activity of neural networks. This has contributed to the understanding of the organisation of these networks.

This workshop aims to bring together technologists interested in developing devices for the recording and stimulation of brain circuitry, with researchers interested in unravelling network activity, in order to review the state of the field and to explore new avenues for neuroscience.