Carlos Aizenman Research Group

Brown University

How does sensory experience shape the development and homeostatic regulation of neural circuits during early life? The lab uses electrophysiology and molecular biology to probe mechanisms that regulate neuronal excitability, synaptic connectivity and dendritic morphology. Researchers perform in vivo and in vitro single-cell electrophysiology, calcium imaging and confocal imaging in the Xenopus tadpole visual system to link cellular mechanisms to circuit function. The group manipulates gene expression in individual neurons to test effects on electrophysiological and morphological properties. The team pairs behavioral testing with cellular assays to study how circuit changes affect visually-guided behaviors.