Introduction

Understanding the fundamental relationship between neuron structure and function has long been an important goal in neuroscience. At all scales of analysis, the roles that geometric shapes and spatial interrelationships play in determining the functional abilities and constraints on brain activity are of paramount consideration. Currently most modeling and simulations of the electrical properties of neurons and their dendrites are carried out at a relatively coarse scale, reflecting numerous simplifying assumptions about the structure of dendrites. Such studies do not account for the small-scale heterogeneity in dendritic structure and composition that are apparent at the level of electron microscopy. Even our understanding of the electrical differences between spiny and non-spiny dendrites may be incomplete due to an over-reliance on simplified models.

The goal of this project is to bring together an interdisciplinary collaboration comprised of computer scientists, mathematicians, and neurobiologists to bring new reconstruction and computational tools to bear on some of the most fundamental, outstanding questions in cellular neuroscience.  Specific goals include:

-         Constructing a scalable software framework for conducting multiscale and spatially realistic electrical simulations of neuronal activity

-         Analyze how differences in head size, neck construction, surface area, and intracellular organelles impact spine electrical activity

-         Investigate the role of active conductances both within spines and along dendritic shafts and examine how heterogeneity in the distribution of ion channels impacts dendritic signaling.