Abstract: My laboratory is interested in elucidating the structure-function relationship of brain circuitry underlying sensori-motor integration and how these circuits are changed and modulated by brain states and behavioral contexts. We use cutting-edge technology including modern anatomy, computation, genetics, imaging, and functional circuit mapping in the mouse model to examine the principles governing neuronal connectivity and their regulation. In parallel, we also develop and implement novel imaging tools and computational algorithms for monitoring and manipulation of these circuits. This talk will first focus on establishing comprehensive connectomic maps at the mesoscopic scales in mice related to sensori-motor function and modulatory systems. The second part of the talk aims to address how to utilize such comprehensive structural maps together with novel vivo imaging of intracellular signaling to study neuromodulation of these circuits by dopamine, norepinephrine, adenosine and opioids.

Tianyi Mao, Ph.D., Oregon Health and Science University (Visit lab website)

Dr. Mao earned her B.S. degree in Bioscience and Biotechnology from Tsinghua University, and her Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Alex Kolodkin. She carried out her postdoctoral training first at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and then at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Karel Svoboda. Dr. Mao was appointed as an assistant professor at the Vollum Institute in 2010 and was promoted to associate professor in 2017.

Hosted by - Richard Roth, Ph.D. (Jun Ding Lab)