"Marmoset as a model system for studying the neural basis of audition and social interactions"王小勤博士(Johns Hopkins University )-2015.1.9

時間：2015年1月9日 10:30

地點：俊秀樓二樓報告廳

報告題目：Marmoset as a model system for studying the neural basis of audition and social interactions

報告人：王小勤 博士 Johns Hopkins University

報告人簡介：美國Johns Hopkins University 教授，1984年畢業于四川大學無線電系本科；1985年赴美國University of Michigan 電子工程及計算機科學系學習, 次年獲碩士學位；1986年進入美國Johns Hopkins University醫學院生物醫學工程系攻讀博士學位, 開始進行對神經系統的研究，1991年在該校獲得生物醫學工程專業博士學位；1991至1995年在美國University of California at San Francisco Keck神經科學中心進行博士后研究。1995年至今任職于Johns Hopkins University醫學院生物醫學工程系，神經科學系和耳鼻喉科系，現任終身正教授。王小勤教授于2007－2010年任清華大學教育部“長江學者”特聘講座教授。2010年起被聘為清華大學兼職教授，生物醫學工程系主任。并擔任“清華大學-約翰霍普金斯大學生物醫學工程聯合研究中心”主任。王小勤教授的研究方向包括聽覺大腦皮層處理語音信號和音樂信號的機制，聽覺系統在復雜聲場中提取信號的原理。靈長類大腦控制發聲和聽覺反饋的機理，以及注意力和行為對聽覺大腦皮層的調制。

報告簡介：Properly chosen animal models are pivotal in understanding brain mechanisms for behaviors. Research on the primate auditory system has been hampered for the lack of appropriate animal models with adequate vocal behaviors in laboratory conditions. We have developed a new model system to study neural basis of audition and vocal communication using the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a highly vocal New World primate species. Marmosets have a rich repertoire of communication calls and remain highly vocal in captivity. Anatomically, marmosets have a smooth brain that provides easy access to many regions of the cerebral cortex for electrophysiological and optical recordings. They are easily bred and have a high reproductive rate, making it feasible to conduct developmental and transgenic studies. Using this unique model system, we have identified non-linear transformations of time-varying signals in auditory cortex and revealed harmonic organizations of this cortical region. We also showed that cortical representations of self-produced vocalizations are shaped by auditory feedback and vocal control signals during vocal communication. These findings have important implications for understanding how the brain processes speech and music and how it operates during speaking. They also demonstrate the potential of this non-human primate species in studying the neural basis of social interactions.