BI introduces Weber State undergrads to neuroscience research
2013-5-20 - The Brain Institute was pleased to host the Weber State University Neuroscience Club. The group of undergraduates learned about research in the fields of neural engineering, information processing, and addiction. Club president Ashley Casillas said the group appreciated the opportunity to tour R01 research labs and learn about STEM career options.
NIH funds novel genetic tools for investigating roles of glia in brain disease
2013-5-6 - Petr Tvrdik, research associate in the Capecchi Lab, earned a perfect score from the National Institutes of Health on his proposal to develop cutting edge tools for researching novel roles of glial – neuronal interactions in development of brain diseases such as epilepsy, OCD, and Parkinson’s disease. The work will be conducted in collaboration with the Brain Institute’s Neuronal Dynamics Lab and Glial-Neuronal Interactions in Epilepsy Lab. “This collaboration brings together great strengths on campus, excellence in mouse genetics and outstanding expertise in neurophysiology and engineering,” says Tvrdik. READ MORE
Jeffrey Holt seminar on mechanisms of inner ear sensory transduction
2013-4-30 - The hair cells of the inner ear transmit electrical impulses to the brain, conveying information required for hearing and balance. In a seminar titled, “A Novel Gene Family Required for Sensory Transduction in Hair Cells of the Mammalian Inner Ear” Jeffrey Holt, Ph.D., professor of Otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School will speak about his latest research identifying molecular components required for inner ear function, and implications on the etiology of related disorders. The seminar will be held on Friday, May 17 at 11:00 a.m. at Eccles Institute of Human Genetics (EIHG), 1st floor auditorium. All are welcome to attend.
Han to present, "Optogenetics in neural circuit mapping"
2013-4-18 - Xue Han, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Boston University, will speak on her work using optogenetics, the ability to use light to rapidly activate or silence individual brain cells. Her group is applying the cutting edge technology toward mapping neural circuits related to neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Han is the recipient of the NIH Director’s New Innovator award. Her talk will take place as part of the Neural Engineering Research Group (NERG) series, on Monday, April 29 at 12:55 p.m. in the SMBB auditorium. The seminar will be preceded by a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
Dedicated equipment to accelerate neural processing research
2013-4-3 - Six interdisciplinary research groups that focus on neural information processing - Dorval, Rabbitt, Taha, Wachowiak, White, and Wilcox Labs - received matching funds from the U of U to purchase an integrated system for optical and electrophysiological studies in vivo. “These diverse, systems neuroscience groups will utilize the shared equipment to develop new techniques, tools, and software for intracellular recordings, optical stimulation, and intracellular recordings,” explains John White, Ph.D., Director, Neuronal Dynamics Laboratory. READ MORE
Dorval earns State grant to improve deep brain stimulation technology
2013-3-16 - Chuck Dorval, Ph.D., director of the Neural Information Laboratory, was awarded a Technology Commercialization and Innovation Program (TCIP) grant from the state to develop a new deep brain stimulation electrode, DBS10k. DBS alleviates some neurological symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), but the simple modern day electrode also causes unwanted side effects. The DBS10k will be able to shape the generated electrical field to fit the particular region of the brain that requires stimulation, without crossing over into undesired regions. DBS treatment with this device will be more effective and safe.
Brain Awareness Week a success
2013-3-16 - March 11-17, 2013 was Brain Awareness Week, a yearly campaign to increase public awareness about the benefits of brain research by bringing hands-on educational activities to K-12 students and the general public. The week's events were well-received by students, teachers, the public, and the press. See Brain Awareness Week press coverage on KSL-TV, The Deseret News, and The Salt Lake Tribune.
Warren Grill to speak on developments in deep brain stimulation
2013-3-14 - Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established therapy for the treatment of movement disorders including dystonia, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s disease. Warren Grill, Ph.D. from Duke University will speak on his results finding novel patterns of stimulation that increase the efficacy or efficiency of DBS, and the implications for novel methods of stimulation. The seminar will take place on Monday, March 18 at 12:55 p.m. in the SMBB auditorium, preceded by a light lunch at 12:15 p.m. in the atrium.
Brain Awareness Day at the Leonardo
2013-3-11 - March 11-17, 2013 is Brain Awareness Week, an annual global campaign to increase public awareness about the benefits of brain research by bringing hands-on educational activities to K-12 students and the general public. The week's events will culminate in Brain Awareness Dayat the Leonardo on March 16 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m where participants can touch a brain and move an object with their thoughts. This event is free and open to the public. Watch BAW chair Jeff Yarch talk about the brain and BAW on KSL-TV.
Wachowiak receives $1.58M to investigate olfactory processing
2013-2-11 - Matt Wachowiak, head of the Olfactory Systems Lab, received a 5-year, $1.58M grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders. The group will investigate how the brain sorts through and makes sense of the many odors surrounding us by following defined neural pathways that process odor information in the brain. An important tool for the job is genetically-encoded reporters that enable visualization of neural activity while an animal smells an odor. The work will provide insights into the neural basis for odor perception, odor-guided behavior, and general information processing.
Festschrift to honor Normann’s lifetime achievement
2013-1-28 - On February 8, 2013 a Festschrift will be held in honor of Richard Normann, Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering and inventor of the Utah Electrode Array. German for a volume of work compiled in tribute of a scholar, this festschrift will consist of a symposium with talks from local, national, and international speakers representing key stages of Normann’s career. The event is free and open to the public, and will be held in SMBB. Click for program
Calling all Brain Awareness Week volunteers
2013-1-17 - March 11-17, 2013 is Brain Awareness Week, a yearly campaign to increase public awareness about the benefits of brain research by bringing hands-on educational activities to K-12 students and the general public. Volunteering for BAW is a wonderful way to promote awareness, enhance leadership and teaching skills, and connect with fellow neuroscientists. Register here to join U of U undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff in building a community of support for research.
Meeting of the minds to maximize outreach
2013-1-2 - The Intermountain Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience will host the first meeting of the Utah Brain Education Alliance (UBEA) on January 12, 2013, at the University of Utah Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building. Volunteers from undergraduate institutions across the region will gather to share learning activities and ideas, and to build community in preparation for Brain Awareness Week (BAW) 2013. READ MORE
