Our research is focused on understanding how small networks of neurons function. Many regions of the brain appear to be made up of repeated clusters of different types of neurons called modules. By understanding the functioning of one module, we potentially gain insight into the biological computations performed by the entire brain region. Our research is directed at both the cellular level, where we explore the ionic conductances that make up a neuron's intrinsic properties and determine how it will react to different types of input, and the systems level where we examine the physiology of synaptic connections between neurons in a module. We are currently looking for postdoctoral fellows; contact Ben Strowbridge if you are interested.
The Olfactory Bulb
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The olfactory bulb is the first brain region involved in processing olfactory information. Like many other brain regions, the olfactory bulb uses lateral inhibition to enhance small differences in synaptic inputs produced by similar odorants. However, the local circuits that generate lateral inhibition are unique to the bulb and rely on reciprocal dendrodendritic synapses made between mitral cells and local interneurons called granule cells. We are actively studying the neurobiology of these unusual synaptic connections and their physiological role in facilitating olfactory discrimination and learning.
The hippocampus is an evolutionarily-old cortex that is involved in certain forms of memory. This brain region is also famous (or infamous) for the intense research effort directed at understanding the cellular mechanism of long-term plasitcity there. Our interests in the hippocampus are centered on the mossy cell, a glutamatergic neuron in the dentate hilus. We are interested in understanding the role of this cell type in the local circuitry in the dentate gyrus and hippocampus. We are also interested in cellular basis for large amount of spontaneous synaptic inputs that impinge on mossy cells and may be related to its vulnerability to damage in certain animal models of epilepsy.
We are based in the Neurosciences Department, a basic science department in the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Our research is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NINDS and NIDCD), the Epilepsy Foundation, and the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation. We also have an active Ph.D. program in the department. Students can apply for admission through either the interdepartmental BSTP program or directly through the department. Contact our department administrator if you would like a brochure about the department and application materials sent to you.