Dr. Anan Moran
Life Sciences
What is a memory? What is the role of a single neuron in memories? What are the rules that govern neuronal network changes that constitute a memory? What changes occur when memories mature?
In this research we intend to answer some of these questions. In the past year we have recorded the simultaneous activity of hundreds of neurons from rats’ brains as they learn, and then extinguish, a taste-malaise association.
We aim to reveal the changes in the different organizational levels (single neurons taste coding, network dynamics) that underlie these cognitive processes as they unfold. In addition, we strive to understand the changes in the topology of the network; the changes in the neuronal connectivity known to participate in the learning.
To that end, we will utilize computational and analytical tools, as well as machine learning algorithms to analyze different organizational levels of neuronal activity.
This research will provide a better understanding of the fundamental rules that govern memory formation and maturation as well as will help design new therapeutic strategies for memory-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Life Sciences
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics
The research will involve analyzing the recorded data:
1. Extract the spiking activity of hundreds of neurons out of over 100TB of data
2. Characterize activity changes in different organizational levels across time: single neurons' taste sensitivity, the population mean firing rates, and network dynamics
3. Describe the network level connectivity changes over different cognitive epochs
4. Combine points 2 and 3 to suggest network-level rules for memory formation and maturation.
5. Optional: Modeling the network activity according to the findings to confirm the principles that govern memory formation and maturation
- Strong passion for science.
- Computational background. Degrees in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics are a plus, but not a must.
- Programming skills
