Mikko Juusola: Research Projects

Research in our laboratory focuses upon the neural and cellular mechanisms that enable sensory cells and networks to extract information from their environment accurately and efficiently. In particular, we study adaptation, neural coding and attention; three processes that are fundamental to the neurones and neural networks of all animals, including humans. These processes are studied in a range of invertebrate preparations that allow in vivo studies of sensory neurones and interneurones, including cells in the compound eyes and brains of Drosophila and Calliphora and also mechanosensory neurones in a wide range of organisms.

We use several techniques to address these questions, combining intracellular recordings with genetic manipulation to gain a better understanding of the contributions of individual cellular components to the properties of the whole cell. These processes are quantified and assessed accurately using various forms of linear and non-linear system identification methods, including signal and noise analysis and Shannon's information theory.

Ongoing projects:

I Neural architecture and correlates for visual attention in behaving Drosophila

II Coding of light signals in Drosophila and Calliphora photoreceptors and first order visual interneurones.

III Multimodality information processing in insect nervous systems.

IV Interations between intracellular calcium and neural responses in motion sensitive neurones in Drosophila brain.

V Learning and memory at network level

VI Novel methods based on information theory.