[Jordan 1-17] Hosted by Julius Zhu.
One of the most fundamental elements of brain function is a reciprocal interaction between excitatory and inhibitory neurons. A major focus in the Cardin lab is to understand how these populations of neurons regulate each other and contribute to information processing. To explore this issue, we use intracellular and extracellular recordings, along with molecular genetics techniques. Using cell type-specific expression of optogenetic tools, such as light-activated channels (Channelrhodopsin and Halorhodopsin), we can control the firing of specific populations of excitatory and inhibitory neurons and test their impact on their synaptic targets. One project in the lab is focused on using these combined techniques to map out circuit dynamics in visual cortex in vivo.
http://medicine.yale.edu/neurobiology/people/jess_cardin-1.profile