Wellcome Trust PhD Programme in Mathematical Genomics and Medicine. (360G-Wellcome-102275_Z_13_Z)

Spontaneous activity during development has been observed in many parts of the nervous system, and is believed to play an important role in shaping neural connectivity. An efficient method of studying neural activity in vitro is through the use of Multi-Electrode Arrays (MEAs), which allow for the simultaneous recording of the electrica l activity of large networks o f neurons. Our project will use MEA recordings of neural netvvorks from both model organisms and those derived from human stem cells to analyse and model the development of neural activity under normal condi tions, as well as after treatment with various compounds. Our research will involve both computational analysis and theoretical modelling, and has three main goals. Firstly, to analyse the development of spatiotemporal activity patterns in human neural networks, and develop theoretical models to account for the observed experimental behaviour. In particular, we will focus on modelling the mechanisms underlying the emergence of se If-organised criticality in these networks. Secondly, to analyse the effect of inhibitory neurons on the developmental profile of neural networks, through the addition of inhibitory neurons into our theoretical models. And finally, to develop a platform to classify and assess the developmental neurotoxicity of a variety of compounds.