Investigation of the magnetic signals generated by neuronal populations in-vitro, in-vivo, and in-silico
HOST INSTITUTION
Radboud University Nijmegen, Donders Center for Neuroscience, department of Neurophysics (The Netherlands)
RESEARCH SUPERVISOR
- Title: Assistant professor
- Full name: Timo van Kerkoerle
- Email: timo.vankerkoerle@donders.ru.nl
- Research project/ Research Group website (Url):
https://www.ru.nl/en/departments/donders-centre-for-neuroscience/top-down-vision
Other websites:
https://www.mn.uio.no/fysikk/english/people/aca/geinevol/index.html
https://www.ru.nl/en/departments/donders-centre-for-neuroscience/synaptic-physiology
https://www.ru.nl/en/departments/donders-centre-for-neuroscience/neuronal-networks-of-memory
RESEARCH GROUP DESCRIPTION
This project will be led by Timo van Kerkoerle, and will be in close collaboration with Gaute Einevoll, Corette Wierenga and Francesco Battaglia. Assistant professor Timo van Kerkoerle leads the Top-down Vision research group at the Donders Center for Neuroscience (DCN) at the Radboud University Nijmegen (RU) that focusses on understanding visual cognition using advanced neural recording technologies, in particular multi-photon imaging in macaque monkeys and intracranial electrophysiology in humans (using SEEG probes in epilepsy patients, in collaboration with Nick Ramsey). Gaute Einevoll is full professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and an expert in modelling electric and magnetic fields as generated by individual neurons as well as populations of neurons. Professor Corette Wierenga leads the Synaptic Physiology research group at the DCN, using multi-photon imaging and electrophysiology in brain slices to understand the formation and plasticity of inhibitory synapses. Professor Francesco Battaglia leads the Neuronal Networks of Memory research group at the DCN, using large scale neuronal recordings and optical imaging in awake and behaving mice to understand the neural correlates of long-term memory.
PhD PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A number of partners in the NeuroNanotech network will fabricate state-of-the-art magnetic sensors. This PhD project will test those sensors by recording neuronal activity in brain slices as well as in the cortex of awake mice. Furthermore, it will combine these recordings with computational modelling, where one can improve the other in an iterative process. The modelling will inform the experimental design to obtain optimal magnetic recordings from neuronal populations, and the recordings will allow to optimize and constrain the computation models. Apart from testing the magnetic sensors in a realistic setting, this PhD project will thereby allow unique insights into the way that magnetic signals are generated within the brain.
The recordings in brain slices will be performed in mouse hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex (see image below). The magnetic recordings will be combined by electrical as well as optical recordings to have a clear understanding of which neurons are activated. Electrical and optogenetic stimulation will be used, localizing the activation to either the basal or the apical dendritic arbors.
Chronic in-vivo recordings will be performed with depth probes placed in the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus of mice. The mice will be placed within a virtual reality environment to allow controlled sensory stimulation. The magnetic recordings will be combined with electrical recordings to optimally inform the computation models and optimize the source reconstruction of signals generated within the hippocampus and the cortex.
Biophysical models of populations of neurons within the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex will be constructed, based on the LFPy framework (see image below). This will be used to predict the optimal configuration of the magnetic sensors relative to the neuronal sources. The signals that will be recorded from the in-vitro and in-vivo recordings will allow to constrain the models and optimize the predictions about the configuration of the magnetic sensors, etc.
Apart from the MDCA doctoral network, the PhD project will be embedded in the Donders Graduate School at the RU, which will allow a wide-ranged training in neuroscience. Also, there will be possibilities to visit the company Atlas Neuroengineering, as well as the epilepsy unit at the University Medical Center Utrecht to learn how probes with electrical and magnetic sensors could potentially transform presurgical epilepsy monitoring.
This project is fully funded for 4 years, the additional fourth year will be funded by the Radboud University.
APPLICANT’S REQUIREMENTS
The candidate should have a great work capacity and enthusiasm for research, and should be able to work independently as well as interactively in a team setting.
The following requirements are mandatory:
• Master degree in Neuroscience, Engineering, Physics or Mathematics
• Strong coding skills
• Proficient in written and oral English
In addition, the ideal candidate would have experience in :
• Biophysical neural modelling
• Recording electrophysiological or magnetic signals
• Analysis of electrophysiological or magnetic data
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS:
- Mobility requirements: candidates not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
- Research experience: must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
- Candidates must enrol in a doctoral programme in the relevant EU Member State/Associated Country.