Seminar by Prof. Jordi Soriano

We are pleased to announce that next Wednesday, May 31st, we will host the visit of Prof. Jordi Soriano from the Universitat de Barcelona. He will give a seminar on "The fascinating world of in vitro neuronal cultures: complex networks, engineering, and biological computation"

Abstract:

The fascinating world of in vitro neuronal cultures: complex networks, engineering, and biological computation

Abstract: Biological neurons grown in the laboratory in the form of 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 exhibit 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 such as 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. In this talk I will review the strategies that we have implemented in my laboratory at the University of Barcelona to prepare and analyze neuronal cultures for both the physics and medical communities. I will also introduce recent developments in the context of biological computation on biohybrid devices, where electronic and biological circuits interact with one another.