Computational properties of neurones: the role of dendrites
Dr Magnus Richardson (Warwick Systems Biology Centre)
The computational power of the central nervous system arises from the
combination of the rich response properties of neurones and their highly
complex interactions, which are mediated by stochastic synapses. In
recent years there has been a huge increase in our quantitative knowledge
of neuronal structure and electrophysiology. However, this wealth of
experimental data remains relatively unexploited for modelling.
Neurones are geometrically extended cells that are composed of a cell
body, with long tree-like, branching “dendritic” structures attached.
Synapses from other neurones form onto these dendrites in a well
organised fashion, with certain classes of neurone making synapses near
the cell body and others far out at the end of the dendrites.
Because of this distribution of inputs along the dendrites, neurones are
compartmentalised, in the sense that streams of information may be
independently integrated at the dendrites or cell body. The net response of
neurones is therefore highly complex due to the interaction of the
stochastic synaptic streams with the spatially heterogeneous non-linear
electrical response of the dendrites and cell body.
The aim of this 12-week project will be to construct biophysicallydetailed and mathematically tractable models of the effects of distributed,
stochastic synaptic input in neurones. These models will be compared to
the latest experimental data and further refined. The goal is to produce
more realistic models of neurones which will later be used in the analysis
of neuronal networks – the embedding of the single-cell models in a
network is a potential topic for a doctoral thesis.
The project will be relatively demanding, mathematically and
computationally. However, the exact scope of the project can be set
depending on the interests of the student. If you are interested in applying
for this project, you are encouraged to contact Dr Richardson at the
Systems Biology Centre to discuss the possibilities.