|
|
 
University of Pennsylvania
Rm 123, Anatomy-Chemistry Bldg.
37th and Service Dr.
Philadephia, PA 19104-6058
Office phone: 215.573.3211
Lab: 123 Anatomy-Chemistry
Lab phone: 215.898.7536
Fax: 215.898.6228
E-mail: rob@retina.anatomy.upenn.edu
Research Interests
My laboratory studies how retinal circuitry processes visual
signals. We analyze what is known about a circuit, construct
a biophysically realistic model of it, and through simulation
attempt to reconcile the circuit's known physiological properties
with the function of its neural components. This allows us to
suggest a functional interpretation for biophysical features such
as dendritic branching, density of voltage-gated membrane
channels, and specific location, strength, and properties of
synaptic inputs. By including the noise properties of membrane
channels and synaptic vesicle release, we generate realistic
noise properties that we compare directly with recordings from
the live neurons. We are currently focussing on 2 circuits: 1)
the cone photoreceptor to horizontal cell network, 2) the pathway
from rod photoreceptors to ganglion cells used during dark
adaptation and 3) the ganglion cell, its spike generator, and its
presynaptic circuitry.
Graduate Groups
|
 |
