Information-Optimal Coding in biological sensory systems

The aim of my project is elucidate the neural code of two neural systems:

1. The Inner Hair Cell (IHC) Ribbon synapse in the mammalian auditory system and

2. The rat whisker system.

The two systems were chosen for their difference noise. The IHC Ribbon synapse is inherently very noise and can produce high rates of spontaneous release whereas the rat whisker system is highly reliable and has very little noise. The assumption is that the optimal neural for these two systems should be very different, which is backed by theoretical research. In order to test these assumptions, computational models are analyzed for their ability to reproduce experimental data accurately. And suitable models will then be used to calculate the information rate in the system.

Supervisors:

Prof. Nigel Stocks (Engineering, University of Warwick)

Dr. Rasmus Petersen (Faculty of Liefe Sciences, University of Manchester)

Topics:

Neural Coding in the Mammalian Inner Hair Cell (IHC) Ribbon Synapse (with Nigel stocks)

Neural coding in the rat whisker system (with Rasmus Petersen)