Detailed Computational Modeling of the Developmental Self-Organization of Neuronal Structure and Function

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Detailed Computational Modeling of the Developmental Self-Organization of Neuronal Structure and Function Roman Bauer1* 1 Newcastle University, United Kingdom The structure and function of neuronal networks is the result of a complex developmental process, which is implicitly encoded in the genes. A better understanding of neural development is therefore crucial for a comprehensive picture of the workings of the brain. Computational simulations allow to test models of how neural development occurs, and in particular how it relies on the interaction between genetic instructions and the local, external environment of cells. Hence, these simulations should ideally take into account a number of mechanisms, such as gene regulatory networks, extracellular substance gradients, physical forces and electrical activity. Here, I present work comprising the detailed modeling of neural development in cortex, as well as preliminary results on retinal development. In particular, I show how certain reaction-diffusion systems can give rise to spatial patterns of chemical guidance cues, enabling the development of a patchy motif of clustered axonal projections in the superficial layers of cortex [1]. Furthermore, neuronal outgrowth processes and synaptic learning rules that give rise to realistic synaptic connectivity as well as winner-take-all (WTA) functionality are presented [2]. Finally, simulations of cortical [3] and retinal lamination (i.e. the sequential layering of different cell types) are shown, providing a powerful computational framework for studying normal and pathological brain development. Overall, the results of these computational models emphasize the importance of taking into account genetic encoding as well as the 3D physical space within which cells interact, to study brain development. Moreover, this work highlights the necessity of appropriate software for these kinds of simulations, which also require significant computing resources. Acknowledgements This work was first supported by the EU grant 216593 SECO (http://www.seco-project.eu), and afterwards by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of the United Kingdom (EP/K026992/1) as part of the Human Brain Development Project (http://www.greenbrainproject.org/) References [1] Bauer R, Zubler F, Hauri A, Muir D, Douglas RJ, 2014. Developmental origin of patchy axonal connectivity in the neocortex: A computational model. Cerebral Cortex. [2] Bauer R, Pfister S, Hauri A, Zubler F, Pfeiffer M, Douglas RJ, 2014. Developmental self-construction and -configuration of functional neocortical neuronal networks. PLoS Computational Biology. [3] Zubler F, Hauri A, Pfister S, Bauer R, Anderson JC, Whatley AM, Douglas RJ, 2013: Simulating cortical development as a self constructing process: a novel multi-scale approach combining molecular and physical aspects. PLoS Computational Biology. Keywords: Guidance cues, Gene Regulatory Networks, neuronal self-organization, computational modeling, neurite growth Conference: Neuroinformatics 2016, Reading, United Kingdom, 3 Sep - 4 Sep, 2016. Presentation Type: Investigator presentations Topic: Normal development / cognition Citation: Bauer R (2016). Detailed Computational Modeling of the Developmental Self-Organization of Neuronal Structure and Function. Front. Neuroinform. Conference Abstract: Neuroinformatics 2016. doi: 10.3389/conf.fninf.2016.20.00004 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 30 Apr 2016; Published Online: 18 Jul 2016. * Correspondence: Dr. Roman Bauer, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, r.bauer@surrey.ac.uk Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Roman Bauer Google Roman Bauer Google Scholar Roman Bauer PubMed Roman Bauer Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.