[BIC-announce] [w/ CORRECT DATES] Special BIC lectures & events

[Sylvain Baillet, Dr]

** for diffusion, please **

Dear All:

The BIC is most happy to welcome two special guest lecturers over the next couple of weeks. The talks are oriented towards the observation, modulation and modeling of key regional and network dynamical phenomena of mass neural activity, with implications in our understanding of brain imaging signals.

[cid:94A61E64-DE59-4836-86B8-BA60EE03EF56]

Monday Nov 16 @ 1pm (De Grandpré, MNI)

Prof Sylvain Williams (Douglas Institute) - ‘Cross-frequency interactions in brain oscillations'

Sylvain Williams is interested in how large population of neurons interact synaptically to produce brain rhythmic activities that are critical for learning and memory. In addition, understanding the mechanisms of how neurons of the hippocampus behave as a population will give powerful insights into what’s wrong with the neural circuitry in Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia.
Sylvain Williams and his team are pursuing several complementary lines of study aimed towards discovering the neural circuits underlying learning and memory. For example, they have developed a unique approach using a complete hippocampus formation preparation in vitro in combination with electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology, to reveal which neurons can generate brain oscillations.
Moreover, they have also developed optogenetics, which offers the unique capability to manipulate specific groups of neurons with light to better understand their role in neural circuits and brain rhythms. They also developed a special interest in determining the role of identified neurons in freely behaving animal during learning and memory.

Prof Williams will be the keynote speaker of the 2nd MEG at McGill Training Week
(https://www.mcgill.ca/bic/training-events/meg-training-program)
A few seats are still available to attend a full day of courses and practical reports from MEG users (language, vision, memory, audition, multimodal integration, motor processes, integration with TMS, etc.) on Monday Dec 16. Registration is mandatory to attend all lectures; Prof Williams' lecture is part of the BIC Lecture Series and does not require registration.

—

Monday Nov 23 @ 1pm (De Grandpré, MNI)

Prof Frances Skinner (U of Toronto) - 'Network Modeling with Biologically-Based Cellular Models'

Prof Skinner’s research is on the development of mathematical/engineering models which stimulate experimental work, generate insight and contribute to a fundamental understanding of biological systems. This involves a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches.
She is recognized for developing computational models to account for the observed (network) dynamics at the different levels of the brain and nervous system (molecular/cellular/multi-cellular/network). Her focus in computational neuroscience is to understand how the rich interplay of highly nonlinear, intrinsic properties of individual neurons together with their coupling properties give rise to the several dynamical activities of neuronal networks.  Mathematical modelling is uniquely poised to make such a linkage and provide functional insights. However, it is far from clear what level of model detail is needed to generate new insights. According to Prof Skinner, one should neither ignore the details of particular systems nor be overwhelmed by them. The balance is the challenge in advancing our understanding.  Her lab is therefore involved in: (i) establishing intimate links with experimental studies to allow mathematical models to be developed and to determine where modeling studies are warranted, and (ii) simulating and analyzing developed mathematical models to enable insights and predictions to emerge.

Looking forward to your participation,

Sylvain.

Sylvain Baillet, PhD

Professor, Neurology, Neurosurgery & Biomedical Engineering
Acting Director, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre
MNI Killam and FRQS Senior Scholar
Montreal Neurological Institute
McGill University
http://mcgill.ca/bic

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