"Functional Micro-architecture of the Cerebral Cortex"張勵 博士（University of Southern California）-2013.12.4

時間：2013年12年4日 10:00

地點：腦功能一樓會議室

報告題目：Functional Micro-architecture of the Cerebral Cortex

報告人：張勵 博士 University of Southern California

報告人簡介：University of Southern California，生物學與生物物理學系副教授；2000年在美國加州大學圣地亞哥分校獲得理學博士學位后繼續從事博士后研究，2004年加入美國南加州大學生物學與生物物理學系至今；主要從事聽覺的神經機制研究，在Nature、 Neuron、 PNAS、Journal of Neuroscience等雜志上發表多篇論文，曾獲Searl學者獎（2005年），美國青年科學家最高榮譽PECASE（2008年）等多項獎勵。

報告簡介： A fundamental question challenging brain neuroscientists is how the powerful computation is performed by the neocortex as to represent and process sensory information important for perception and behavior. The major conventional approach to address this question is similar to a “black box” method: reversely correlate the output responses of the cortex with the sensory inputs as to extract the transfer functions. However, this approach is limited by the nonlinearity of the neural circuits underlying the cortical responses and the infinite number of possible sensory stimuli. For a thorough understanding of the transfer functions that operate in the cortex, we plan to open the “black box” by dissecting the precise connectivity of neuronal network (synaptic circuitry) underlying specific cortical responses, and revealing the principles for the overall construction of the functional cortical circuitry, i.e. to establish the structural basis for cortical function. This daunting task is made simpler because even the most complex cortical circuits appear to be based on functional modules or units that are stereotypical in their organization. Elucidating the circuitry of these functional units is thus a key step..The recent technical advances, including modern electrophysiology, two-photon imaging and molecular genetics, make it possible to directly dissect the structure of synaptic circuitry underlying cortical function. To take best advantage of these techniques, particularly with respect to genetic manipulation, we will carry out our investigations in mice. The auditory cortex will be used as a model because it codes and processes time-varying signals which can be precisely controlled, and thus is ideal for studying functional circuits. The auditory cortex is well-developed in rodents, where it has similar anatomical, representational and processing properties as are found in higher mammals, so that the circuitry principles revealed can be generalized.