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Research interests
We investigate how anatomical and synaptic plasticity coordinate to change the structure and function of neural circuits in the mammalian cortex. We are particularly interested in the dramatic changes to brain circuitry that occur early in life, when the brain in growing, and in dementia, when brain function collapses. Using high resolution optical stimulation and recording combined with molecular, genetic and electrophysiological methods, we aim to define how external and internal influences on synaptic function control the normal and pathological cortical circuit plasticity that underlies lifelong brain function.
This is an example of the type of connectivity map generated using 2-photon stimulation and patch clamp electrophysiology to detect and measure synaptic connections. Each sphere represents a neuron inside the barrel structure that is found in the sensory cortex. The green neuron was recorded during the experiment and is shown here with all its dendrites. The other neurons were stimulated during the experiment to find those that make synaptic connections with the recorded cell. Only a small proportion of cells, those shown in colour, are connected. This type of map tells us about rates of connectivity, the properties of those synapses and the geometric relationship between connected cells. Comparing these maps at different stages of early postnatal development allows us to understand the processes involved in the formation of circuitry in the sensory cortex (Ashby & Isaac 2011, Neuron 70:510-521).
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Projects
- 2 Finished
Research Output
A Bayesian predictive approach for dealing with pseudoreplication
Lazic, S. E., Mellor, J. R., Ashby, M. C. & Munafo, M. R., 11 Feb 2020, In : Scientific Reports. 10, 10 p., 2366 (2020).Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal)
Open Access
File
Presynaptic boutons that contain mitochondria are more stable
Lees, R. M., Johnson, J. D. & Ashby, M. C., 10 Jan 2020, In : Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience. 11, 13 p., 37.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal)
Open Access
File
Convergent Metabotropic Signaling Pathways Inhibit SK Channels to Promote Synaptic Plasticity in the Hippocampus
Tigaret, C. M., Chamberlain, S. E. L., Sadowski, J. H. L., Hall, J., Ashby, M. & Mellor, J., 24 Oct 2018, In : Journal of Neuroscience. 38, 43, p. 9252-9262 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal)
Open Access
File
Supervised Work
Changes in Dendritic and Synaptic Function During Early Postnatal Development of the Mouse Barrel Cortex
Author: Franchini, D., 23 Jan 2020Supervisor: Ashby, M. C. (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Investigating, implementing, and creating methods for analysing large neuronal ensembles
Author: Delaney, T. J., 19 Aug 2020Supervisor: O'Donnell, C. (Supervisor) & Ashby, M. (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Postnatal Development of Neural Networks in the Healthy and Premature Brain
Author: Cross, C., 19 Mar 2019Supervisor: Ashby, M. (Supervisor) & Luyt, K. (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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