Hour: From 14:30h to 16:00h
Place: ICFO Auditorium
Jordi Soriano (University of Barcelona)
"Exploring Dynamics in Engineered Neuronal Cultures: Disease Models, Development and Computation"
Abstract:
Neuronal cultures are one of the most compelling examples of a complex system, in which an ensemble of initially disconnected neurons is able to reconnect and form a de novo complex network within days. This network may display different forms of collective activity that depend on the underpinned connectivity between neurons. By using resources from neuroengineering, one can control this connectivity and build in vitro systems that mimic key organizational features of the brain, specifically modularity. Such systems are useful not only to understand the emergence of collective behavior in neuronal assemblies, but also to design brain-on-chip models to explore and treat neurological disorders in a controlled manner. Additionally, neuronal cultures exhibit a superb capacity to adapt, sustain damage, regenerate, and learn. In this talk, I will describe the above aspects in relation to the experiments in my laboratory at the University of Barcelona, and I will also introduce recent developments in the context of biological computation and biohybrid devices, where electronic and biological circuits bridge with one another.
Biography:
Jordi studied Physics and carried out a PhD in fluid dynamics at the University of Barcelona. He next moved to Bayreuth, Germany, for a 3-year postdoc in biophysics and developmental biology. In 2005 he started a second, 4-year postdoc in neuroscience at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, developing new experimental techniques to study neurons from a complex systems perspective. In 2008, Jordi was granted with a Ramón-y-Cajal fellowship to establish an experimental group in neuroscience at the Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona. His work combines physics, neuroengineering and medicine. A permanent position as associate professor was granted in 2015. He co-promoted the creation of the University of Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems, from which he is deputy director since 2017.
Hour: From 14:30h to 16:00h
Place: ICFO Auditorium
Jordi Soriano (University of Barcelona)
"Exploring Dynamics in Engineered Neuronal Cultures: Disease Models, Development and Computation"
Abstract:
Neuronal cultures are one of the most compelling examples of a complex system, in which an ensemble of initially disconnected neurons is able to reconnect and form a de novo complex network within days. This network may display different forms of collective activity that depend on the underpinned connectivity between neurons. By using resources from neuroengineering, one can control this connectivity and build in vitro systems that mimic key organizational features of the brain, specifically modularity. Such systems are useful not only to understand the emergence of collective behavior in neuronal assemblies, but also to design brain-on-chip models to explore and treat neurological disorders in a controlled manner. Additionally, neuronal cultures exhibit a superb capacity to adapt, sustain damage, regenerate, and learn. In this talk, I will describe the above aspects in relation to the experiments in my laboratory at the University of Barcelona, and I will also introduce recent developments in the context of biological computation and biohybrid devices, where electronic and biological circuits bridge with one another.
Biography:
Jordi studied Physics and carried out a PhD in fluid dynamics at the University of Barcelona. He next moved to Bayreuth, Germany, for a 3-year postdoc in biophysics and developmental biology. In 2005 he started a second, 4-year postdoc in neuroscience at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, developing new experimental techniques to study neurons from a complex systems perspective. In 2008, Jordi was granted with a Ramón-y-Cajal fellowship to establish an experimental group in neuroscience at the Faculty of Physics, University of Barcelona. His work combines physics, neuroengineering and medicine. A permanent position as associate professor was granted in 2015. He co-promoted the creation of the University of Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems, from which he is deputy director since 2017.