Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Events for February
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Biomedical Engineering Department Guest Speaker
Fri, Feb 02, 2018 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Maribel Vazquez, Sc.D., Associate Professor Department of Biomedical Engineering City College of New York, CUNY
Talk Title: Microfluidics-Enhanced Predictive Models for Retinal Cell Replacement
Abstract: Progressive and irreversible vision loss affects millions of Americans each year and is a profound health challenge worldwide. Current restorative treatments for retinal dysfunction have introduced stem-like cells (STLCs) as replacements for damaged photoreceptors in order to re-establish synaptic connectivity with secondary neurons. Numerous studies have reported modest synaptic integration despite meaningful advances in specialized replacement cells and cell-delivery biomaterials. This is largely attributed to unsuitable migration and positioning of transplanted cells, as the migratory processes of donor STLCs out of the sub-retinal space and into host retinal laminae are neither clinically- nor developmentally-defined. Our work develops an experimental model to predict synaptic integration of transplanted cells by using microfluidics and retinal explants to mimic degenerative microenvironments (Fig. 1). The model uses combinatory, chemical signals and electric fields to recapitulate the migratory responses and connectivity of STLCs during development and stimulate these desired behaviors in transplantation. Results illustrate that combinatory galvano-chemoattractive fields are able to stimulate three times the infiltration distance than either field, individually, as well as promote tunable, collective cell responses.
Biography: Maribel Vazquez is an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at City College of New York, and is a co-founding member of the Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the City College of New York (CCNY). Her appointment as Assistant Professor was dedicated toward establishing the first BME undergraduate curriculum and Master's program at a Minority Serving Institution. She later developed the first microfluidics and microfabrication laboratory at CCNY by leveraging my industry and research expertise in the design and manufacture of microsystems. She has been continuously awarded funding for independent research as well as for undergraduate educational initiatives from NIH (Physical Science-Oncology Center, Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership), NSF (Nanotechnology Education for Undergraduates, Emergent Behaviors of Intracellular Systems) and AFOSR (Microtechnology and Fabrication for Mechanical Engineers).
Host: Ellis Meng, PhD
Location: DRB 145/145A
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Seminars
Mon, Feb 05, 2018 @ 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Fikret Kirkbir, Ph.D, Director for Intellectual and Patents, AMI
Talk Title: TBA
Host: Professor Qifa Zhou
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Department Guest Speaker
Mon, Feb 05, 2018 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Ben Dongsong Huh, Postdoctoral Fellow, Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Talk Title: Investigating the spike-based computations of the brain
Abstract: Our brain uses temporal dynamics of neural activities to perform real-time computations: it processes time-varying streams of information and produces action sequences. How the brain coordinates the complex biophysical dynamics to form the basis for computation is a central problem in neuroscience. I apply optimal control theory to investigate how functionality of dynamical systems arises from first principles and, more specifically, to establish a unifying framework for understanding the dynamics and computations of the brain. The most prominent characteristics of biological neural networks is spikes: The brief impulse signals link individual neural dynamics and provide a unified currency for the asynchronous information processing in the brain. However, neuroscience lacks the theoretical framework for modeling how spikes represent information and perform computations in distributed network architectures. To solve this problem, I derived the first general learning algorithm for spiking neural networks from an optimal control principle, representing the first step in harnessing the computational potential of spikes. The spike-based computational principles can be extracted by analyzing how a trained network solves the computational tasks. More generally, this method allows combining the top-down deep learning approaches with the biophysical network properties to yield detailed models of neural systems that are both structurally and functionally accurate.
This research has a wide range of engineering applications, including spike-based deep learning for neuromorphic devices, and next generation Brain-Machine-Interface and neuro-prosthetics that directly use spike signals for fine control. Most importantly, I aim to promote close collaborations between neuroscience and artificial intelligence research by providing a common theoretical framework.
Host: Ellis Meng, PhD
Location: Corwin D. Denney Research Center (DRB) - 145/145A
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Department Guest Speaker
Thu, Feb 08, 2018 @ 01:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Jennifer Treweek, Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Biology and Bioengineering, Caltech
Talk Title: Functional and anatomical mapping of neuropeptide circuitry using modern neuroscience techniques
Abstract: Neuropeptide systems are notoriously difficult to study due to their biological complexity and the overall technical inadequacy of traditional pharmacological tools (e.g., synthetic design of receptor ligands, immunohistochemistry-based labeling). However, given the pathological relevance of neuropeptides, such as corticotropin releasing factor, to a variety of disease states, the functional and anatomical characterization of neuropeptide circuitry is crucial to our discovery of better disease therapies. The development and application of new technologies to enable such characterization is an important first step towards this goal.
In my talk, I will summarize recent improvements to in vivo modalities for recording and perturbing neuronal activity in behaving rodents, as well as ex vivo techniques for analyzing the functional connectivity of targeted cells at the single-molecule through systems-levels. In particular, our methods for the multiplexed labeling and imaging of mRNA and peptide epitopes at depth in cleared tissue offer scientists an opportunity to visualize transcriptional changes and structural plasticity in intact circuits during the progression of disease.
Host: Ellis Meng, PhD
Location: Corwin D. Denney Research Center (DRB) - 145/145A
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Seminars
Mon, Feb 12, 2018 @ 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Talk Title: TBA
Host: Professor Qifa Zhou
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Department Guest Speaker
Mon, Feb 12, 2018 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Samantha Santacruz,
Talk Title: Pathological Neural Mechanisms and Systems-based Neurotherapies
Abstract: The brain is a complex system comprised of billions of neurons that work coherently together to control our behavior and general function. The advent of techniques such as multi-electrode recordings, microstimulation and neural imaging has provided powerful tools for modern systems neuroscience to study learning and neural adaptation, and importantly how neural function is compromised in the diseased state. In this talk, I will focus on electrical microstimulation, and how it can be used both as a tool to study brain states and a therapeutic mechanism to treat circuit-wide disorders. The first part of the talk will focus on applications of microstimulation in animal models. In this half, I will demonstrate through modulation of neural signals encoding value using microstimulation in the dorsomedial striatum that I can differentially modulate decision-making processes, which are often compromised in the disease state. I will also present results showing that closed-loop microstimulation of prefrontal areas has anxiolytic effects and modulates autonomic state. In the second part of the talk, I will focus on materials and devices for neurotherapies. When microstimulation is applied, it is advantageous to be able to probe the system and record neural activity simultaneously during stimulation. I will present work on carbon nanotube fiber microelectrodes and discuss how this novel material provides an excellent bidirectional interface with neural tissue. This will be followed with a discussion of a new device for wireless neuromodulation and recording, which utilizes a state-of-the-art ASIC for fast charge-clearing and near-perfect stimulation artifact removal. I will conclude this talk with my future directions in the development of neuroprosthetic devices and new modalities beyond microstimulation.
Host: Ellis Meng, PhD
Location: Corwin D. Denney Research Center (DRB) - 145/145A
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Department Guest Speaker
Thu, Feb 15, 2018 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Adam Rouse, MD, PhD, Research Assistant Professor of Neuroscience Schieber Finger Movement Laboratory, University of Rochester
Talk Title: Brain-computer interfaces for the hand: Moving beyond linear models
Abstract: The field of motor brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) has advanced dramatically. Our ability to accurately decode neural activity to directly control a cursor, robotic arm, or the patient's own muscles continues to improve. However, this control remains robotic and limited compared with natural human performance. Most BCI decoding relies on each neuron having a fixed and linear relationship to a given set of degrees of freedom. In experimental results from a reach-to-grasp task, Dr. Rouse will describe the sequential phases of movement observed with EMG, kinematic, and single-unit neurophysiologic recordings. He also will show the broad tuning throughout the entire upper forelimb region of primary motor cortex to both reach location and grasp object type and how it transitions between phases of the movement. Dr. Rouse will demonstrate why this sequential, selective tuning can serve as an important principle for BCI design. By using active dimension selection and four ethologically relevant dimensions of control, he will show how a simple 16 single unit BCI can efficiently control a virtual hand to achieve eight different postures with 93 percent accuracy, with average movement times of ~1 second. By analyzing large-dimensional datasets of joint kinematics, EMG, and neural activity, he focuses on understanding how neural populations can generate motor output across a broad dynamic range with speed and precision.
Host: Ellis Meng, PhD
Location: Corwin D. Denney Research Center (DRB) - 145/145A
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Seminars
Mon, Feb 19, 2018 @ 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: TBA,
Host: Professor Qifa Zhou
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Department Guest Speaker
Thu, Feb 22, 2018 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Dong Song, USC, Research Associate Professor, Center for Neural Engineering
Talk Title: Towards a Clinical Hippocampal Memory Prosthesis
Abstract: Hippocampal memory prosthesis is a closed-loop system developed to bypass damaged hippocampal regions to restore or enhance memory functions. Different from deep brain stimulation, which delivers stereotypical stimulation patterns to target regions to modulate neural activities, hippocampal memory prostheses utilize biomimetic models and neural code-based stimulation patterns to reinstate neural signal transmission / processing and thus mimic brain functions. In this talk, I will first describe the multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear dynamical model being used as the computational basis of hippocampal memory prostheses and the proof-of-principle studies in animal models. Furthermore, I will talk about my more recent results in (1) enhancing memory functions in epilepsy patients with a hippocampal memory prosthesis, (2) developing next-generation computational models and neural interface technologies to fill the gap between the proof-of-principle and clinical hippocampal memory prostheses.
Host: Francisco Valero-Cuevas, PhD
Location: Corwin D. Denney Research Center (DRB) - 145/145A
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Seminars
Mon, Feb 26, 2018 @ 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Donald Schwartz, MD, President
Talk Title: TBA
Host: Professor Qifa Zhou
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. -
Biomedical Engineering Department Guest Speaker
Mon, Feb 26, 2018 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Lyle Muller, Postdoctoral Fellow, Computational Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Talk Title: Traveling waves in cortex: spatiotemporal dynamics shape perceptual and cognitive processes
Abstract: With new multichannel recording technologies, neuroscientists can now record from cortex with high spatial and temporal resolution. Early recordings during anesthesia revealed spontaneous and stimulus-evoked waves traveling across the cortex. While for a long time these waves were thought to disappear in awake animals and during normal sleep, our recent work has revealed traveling waves in these complex activity states. Their overall role in neural computation, however, remains poorly understood.
In my research, we have introduced new computational methods for detection and quantification of spatiotemporal patterns in noisy multisite recordings. At the scale of a single cortical region, these methods have revealed that small visual stimuli consistently evoke waves traveling from the point of input to primary visual cortex in the awake monkey (Muller et al., Nature Communications 5, 2014). At the whole-brain scale, the 11-15 Hz sleep "spindle", a brain oscillation causally implicated in consolidation of long-term memory, is consistently organized as a rotating wave traveling in a preferred direction (Muller et al., eLife 5, 2016). These results indicate that traveling waves play a role in organizing neural activity during multiple behavioral states. In upcoming work, we aim to address the network-level mechanisms generating traveling waves and complex spatiotemporal patterns, under the general aim of understanding their role in neural computation.
Hosted by:
Host: Francisco Valero-Cuevas, PhD
Location: Corwin D. Denney Research Center (DRB) - 145/145A
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
This event is open to all eligible individuals. USC Viterbi operates all of its activities consistent with the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.
