Combined Experimental-computational Approach Research Articles

An Experimental-Computational Approach to Quantify Blood Rheology in Sickle Cell Disease

In sickle cell disease, aberrant blood flow due to oxygen-dependent changes in red cell biomechanics is a key driver of pathology. Most studies to date have focused on the potential role of altered red cell deformability and blood rheology in precipitating vaso-occlusive crises. Numerous studies, however, have shown that sickle blood flow is affected even at high oxygen tensions, suggesting a potentially systemic role for altered blood flow in driving pathologies, including endothelial dysfunction, ischemia, and stroke. In this study, we applied a combined experimental-computation approach that leveraged an experimental platform that quantifies sickle blood velocity fields under a range of oxygen tensions and shear rates. We computationally fitted a continuum model to our experimental data to generate physics-based parameters that capture patient-specific rheological alterations. Our results suggest that sickle blood flow is altered systemically, from the arterial to the venous circulation. We also demonstrated the application of this approach as a tool to design patient-specific transfusion regimens. Finally, we demonstrated that patient-specific rheological parameters can be combined with patient-derived vascular models to identify patients who are at higher risk for cerebrovascular complications such as aneurysm and stroke. Overall, this study highlights that sickle blood flow is altered systemically, which can drive numerous pathologies, and this study demonstrates the potential utility of an experimentally parameterized continuum model as a predictive tool for patient-specific care.

Effect of Substituents on the Activity of Organic Molecular Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is a fundamental and critical process that enables H2 production through electrochemical water splitting. Conventional HER catalysts are based on metal-containing materials in which the metal atoms function as the catalytic centers. Recently, we demonstrated a metal-free organic molecular electrocatalyst (OMEC) for HER in acidic media with high activity and durability.1, 2 This OMEC is based on a small pyridine-based heterocycle. A density functional theory (DFT) study of the HER mechanism catalyzed by this molecule revealed that the thermodynamic limiting potential is related to the atomic hydrogen adsorption energy at the pyridyl-N site.1, 2 Further, our systematic study of the substituent effects on the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) potential at nitrogen-containing heterocycles provided guidance to the rational design of OMECs for HER.3 In this talk, we will present a study on the substituent effects on the activity of the organic molecular electrocatalyst mentioned above.1,2 Several substituents with electron-withdrawing/donating character will be included in this study. The HER activity of these substituted molecules is determined experimentally through electrochemical measurement. Their HER onset potentials are further correlated with the H adsorption energy values at pyridyl-N sites predicted from DFT calculations. Through the combined experimental-computational approach, we demonstrate the structure-activity relationship within this particular type of OMECs, guiding future OMEC research. Acknowledgments Financial support for this research by Los Alamos National Laboratory through Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Exploratory Research (ER) program is gratefully acknowledged. References X. Yin, L. Lin, H. T. Chung, U. Martinez, A.M. Baker, S. Maurya, P. Zelenay. Organic Molecular Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction, Meeting s, The Electrochemical Society, MA2017-02, 1659 (2017).X. Yin, L. Lin, U. Martinez, H. T. Chung, P. Zelenay. Bifunctional Organic Molecular Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction and Hydrogen Peroxide Production, Meeting s, The Electrochemical Society, MA2018-02, 1609 (2018).X. Yin, E. F. Holby, P. Zelenay. Structure-Activity Data Mining for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at Organic Molecular Electrocatalysts, Meeting s, The Electrochemical Society, MA2019-01, 1429 (2019).

Metabolomics-Driven Exploration of the Chemical Drug Space to Predict Combination Antimicrobial Therapies.

SummaryAlternative to the conventional search for single-target, single-compound treatments, combination therapies can open entirely new opportunities to fight antibiotic resistance. However, combinatorial complexity prohibits experimental testing of drug combinations on a large scale, and methods to rationally design combination therapies are lagging behind. Here, we developed a combined experimental-computational approach to predict drug-drug interactions using high-throughput metabolomics. The approach was tested on 1,279 pharmacologically diverse drugs applied to the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli. Combining our metabolic profiling of drug response with previously generated metabolic and chemogenomic profiles of 3,807 single-gene deletion strains revealed an unexpectedly large space of inhibited gene functions and enabled rational design of drug combinations. This approach is applicable to other therapeutic areas and can unveil unprecedented insights into drug tolerance, side effects, and repurposing. The compendium of drug-associated metabolome profiles is available at https://zampierigroup.shinyapps.io/EcoPrestMet, providing a valuable resource for the microbiological and pharmacological communities.

A combined experimental-computational approach for spatial protection efficacy assessment of controlled release devices against mosquitoes (Anopheles).

This work describes the use of entomological studies combined with in silico models (computer simulations derived from numerical models) to assess the efficacy of a novel device for controlled release of spatial repellents. Controlled Release Devices (CRDs) were tested with different concentrations of metofluthrin and tested against An. quadrimaculatus mosquitoes using arm-in cage, semi-field, and outdoor studies. Arm-in-cage trials showed an approximate mean values for mosquito knockdown of 40% and mosquito bite reduction of 80% for the optimal metofluthrin formulation for a 15-minute trial. Semi-field outdoor studies showed a mean mortality of a 50% for 24 hour trial and 75% for a 48 hour trial for optimal concentrations. Outdoors studies showed an approximate mean mortality rate of 50% for a 24 hour trial for optimal concentrations. Numerical simulations based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) were performed in order to obtain spatial concentration profiles for 24 hour and 48 hour periods. Experimental results were correlated with simulation results in order to obtain a functional model that linked mosquito mortality with the estimated spatial concentration for a given period of time. Such correlation provides a powerful insight in predicting the effectiveness of the CRDs as a vector-control tool. While CRDs represent an alternative to current spatial repellent delivery methods, such as coils, candles, electric repellents, and passive emanators based on impregnated strips, the presented method can be applied to any spatial vector control treatment by correlating entomological endpoints, i.e. mortality, with in-silico simulations to predict overall efficacy. The presented work therefore presents a new methodology for improving design, development and deployment of vector-control tools to reduce transmission of vector-borne diseases, including malaria and dengue.

Thermal and hygric assessment of an inside-insulated brick wall: 2D critical experiment and computational analysis

A combined experimental-computational approach is used for the analysis of hygrothermal performance of a brick wall provided with interior thermal insulation system. A 2D laboratory experiment is performed to determine temperature and moisture fields in a characteristic segment of the envelope over a sufficiently long period including cold winter months. Then, a computational model of moisture and heat transport is developed, using an integral two-phase balance equation capable of distinguishing between the particular phases of water and an enthalpy-based heat balance equation. A 2D computational representation of the experiment is used for model calibration and identification of unknown parameters, resulting in a very good agreement of experimental and calculated fields, with R2 between 0.9687 and 0.9888. The calibrated model is subsequently used for a long-term hygrothermal assessment of the studied detail to demonstrate the functionality of the interior thermal insulation system, as well as the applicability of the developed model.

Mitochondrial respiration and ROS emission during β-oxidation in the heart: An experimental-computational study.

Lipids are main fuels for cellular energy and mitochondria their major oxidation site. Yet unknown is to what extent the fuel role of lipids is influenced by their uncoupling effects, and how this affects mitochondrial energetics, redox balance and the emission of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Employing a combined experimental-computational approach, we comparatively analyze β-oxidation of palmitoyl CoA (PCoA) in isolated heart mitochondria from Sham and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic (T1DM) guinea pigs (GPs). Parallel high throughput measurements of the rates of oxygen consumption (VO2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) emission as a function of PCoA concentration, in the presence of L-carnitine and malate, were performed. We found that PCoA concentration < 200 nmol/mg mito protein resulted in low H2O2 emission flux, increasing thereafter in Sham and T1DM GPs under both states 4 and 3 respiration with diabetic mitochondria releasing higher amounts of ROS. Respiratory uncoupling and ROS excess occurred at PCoA > 600 nmol/mg mito prot, in both control and diabetic animals. Also, for the first time, we show that an integrated two compartment mitochondrial model of β-oxidation of long-chain fatty acids and main energy-redox processes is able to simulate the relationship between VO2 and H2O2 emission as a function of lipid concentration. Model and experimental results indicate that PCoA oxidation and its concentration-dependent uncoupling effect, together with a partial lipid-dependent decrease in the rate of superoxide generation, modulate H2O2 emission as a function of VO2. Results indicate that keeping low levels of intracellular lipid is crucial for mitochondria and cells to maintain ROS within physiological levels compatible with signaling and reliable energy supply.

Abstract 474: Early Events in Dissecting Aneurysms Induced by Angiotensin-II Infusion: The Geometry-Driven Aspect of a Multifaceted Problem

While research on dissecting aneurysms in Angiotensin-II infused mice spans more than a decade, the temporal sequence of initial events still remains unclear. Recent findings in our group suggested that focal medial tears at the vicinity of suprarenal side branches are the primary event in disease formation. In this study we used a combined experimental-computational approach to investigate the hypothesis that initial events of dissecting AAAs originate at branching sites along the aorta. Male apolipoprotein-deficient mice were infused with Angiotensin-II (n=11) and saline 0.9% (n=6) for 3 days and scanned with contrast-enhanced microCT prior to sacrifice. One animal presented an in-vivo rupture during the microCT scan, and was rescanned after 2.5 hours to observe real-time morphological changes. In all other animals, the excised aortic tissue was imaged with Phase Contrast X-Ray Tomographic Microscopy (PCXTM) at 6.5um isotropic resolution. An automatic morphing code was developed to map the ex-vivo geometry onto the in vivo geometry, and a finite element simulation yielded a stress distribution that represents an estimation of the wall tension, not only due to the pressurization, but also due to the local stretch field. We found that the nanoparticulate microCT contrast agent had infiltrated the aortic wall in 11/11 Ang-II infused animals, while no infiltration was observed in 6/6 control mice. The infiltration affected at least one pair of intercostal arteries in 11/11 mice, and in 9/11 mice the coeliac region was also affected. Image-guided histology allowed us to determine the circumferential distribution of microlesions at branching sites, including disruption of elastin fibers, apoptotic cell appearance, subintimal leukocyte infiltration and intramural hematomas. In the animal whose aorta had ruptured during the in vivo scan, the initial hematoma had originated around 3 pairs of intercostal arteries and quickly propagated afterwards. Mouse-specific finite element simulations revealed a co-location of computed peak stresses at the vessel wall and histologically identified vascular damage. We conclude that the aortic geometry, and side branches in particular, play a pivotal role in the onset of dissecting AAA.

The hyperelastic and failure behaviors of skin in relation to the dynamic application of microscopic penetrators in a murine model.

The mechanics of skin penetration by dynamically-applied microscopic tips is investigated using a combined experimental-computational approach. A FE model of skin is parameterized using indentation tests and a ductile-failure implementation validated against penetration assays. The simulations shed light on skin elastic and fracture properties, and elucidate the interaction with microprojection arrays for vaccine delivery allowing rational design of next-generation devices.

The analysis of novel distal Cebpa enhancers and silencers using a transcriptional model reveals the complex regulatory logic of hematopoietic lineage specification

C/EBPα plays an instructive role in the macrophage-neutrophil cell-fate decision and its expression is necessary for neutrophil development. How Cebpa itself is regulated in the myeloid lineage is not known. We decoded the cis-regulatory logic of Cebpa, and two other myeloid transcription factors, Egr1 and Egr2, using a combined experimental-computational approach. With a reporter design capable of detecting both distal enhancers and silencers, we analyzed 46 putative cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) in cells representing myeloid progenitors, and derived early macrophages or neutrophils. In addition to novel enhancers, this analysis revealed a surprisingly large number of silencers. We determined the regulatory roles of 15 potential transcriptional regulators by testing 32,768 alternative sequence-based transcriptional models against CRM activity data. This comprehensive analysis allowed us to infer the cis-regulatory logic for most of the CRMs. Silencer-mediated repression of Cebpa was found to be effected mainly by TFs expressed in non-myeloid lineages, highlighting a previously unappreciated contribution of long-distance silencing to hematopoietic lineage resolution. The repression of Cebpa by multiple factors expressed in alternative lineages suggests that hematopoietic genes are organized into densely interconnected repressive networks instead of hierarchies of mutually repressive pairs of pivotal TFs. More generally, our results demonstrate that de novo cis-regulatory dissection is feasible on a large scale with the aid of transcriptional modeling.1Current address: Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, 10 Cornell Street, Stop 9019, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9019, USA.

Spectroscopic Properties of Naphthalene on the Surface of Ice Grains Revisited: A Combined Experimental-Computational Approach.

An experimental-computational method is used to investigate the spectroscopic behavior of naphthalene on the surface of ice grains. UV-vis diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopies of naphthalene combined with DFT and ADC(2) calculations provide evidence for the occurrence of excited-state associates. The measured and calculated bathochromic shifts of the S0 → S1 electronic transitions related to naphthalene dimers or naphthalene-ice interactions do not exceed 3 nm. The bands observed in the emission spectrum of frozen naphthalene solutions are assigned to excited dimers of different mutual orientations, naphthalene phosphorescence, and fluorescence of anthracene present as a trace impurity and populated by the energy transfer from excited naphthalene. Photochemical reactivity in/on ice and snow is dependent on the absorption properties and speciation of the compounds present in these media. Hence, within this study, we exploit frozen solutions of naphthalene to demonstrate both the absence of considerable bathochromic shift and a strong tendency to aggregate.

Synergistic approach to elucidate the incorporation of magnesium ions into hydroxyapatite.

Although the content of Mg(2+) in hard tissues is very low (typically ≤1.5 wt %), its incorporation into synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles and its role in the mineral's properties are still subject of intensive debate. A combined experimental-computational approach is used to answer many of the open questions. Mg(2+) -enriched HAp particles are prepared using different synthetic approaches and considering different concentrations of Mg(2+) in the reaction medium. The composition, morphology and structure of the resulting particles are investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, FTIR, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. After this scrutiny, the role of the Mg(2+) in the first nucleation stages, before HAp formation, is investigated using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Saturated solutions are simulated with and without the presence of DNA, which has been recently used as a soft template in the biomineralization process. This synergistic investigation provides a complete picture of how Mg(2+) ions affect the mineralization from the first stages onwards.

Combining ab initio calculations and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy for quantitative analysis of multicomponent systems in solution: Tautomer proportions of ethyl acetoacetate

A quantitative analysis method, combined experimental–computational approach (CECA), has been developed and applied for the detection of tautomer ratios of ethyl acetoacetate (eaa) in three organic solvents (acetonitrile, methanol, and chloroform). In order to obtain the relative concentrations of tautomers of eaa, IR intensities of both tautomers have been calculated at three different calculation levels (B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p), MP2/cc-pVDZ, and MP2/cc-pVTZ), augmented by the data obtained using basis set extrapolation technique. Experimental absorption bands were recorded at specific wavenumbers with FT-IR spectrophotometer and combined with calculated IR intensities in Lambert–Beer equation. Though the pure computational approach does not provide accurate values of the tautomers’ ratio, yet the results obtained using the CECA method are very close to the experimental data.

Spectroscopic properties of benzene at the air-ice interface: a combined experimental-computational approach.

A combined experimental and computational approach was used to study the spectroscopic properties of benzene at the ice-air interface at 253 and 77 K in comparison with its spectroscopic behavior in aqueous solutions. Benzene-contaminated ice samples were prepared either by shock-freezing of benzene aqueous solutions or by benzene vapor-deposition on pure ice grains and examined using UV diffuse reflectance and emission spectroscopies. Neither the absorption nor excitation nor emission spectra provided unambiguous evidence of benzene associates on the ice surface even at a higher surface coverage. Only a small increase in the fluorescence intensity in the region above 290 nm found experimentally might be associated with formation of benzene excimers perturbed by the interaction with the ice surface as shown by ADC(2) excited-state calculations. The benzene associates were found by MD simulations and ground-state DFT calculations, although not in the arrangement that corresponds to the excimer structures. Our experimental results clearly demonstrated that the energy of the S0 → S1 electronic transition of benzene is not markedly affected by the phase change or the microenvironment at the ice-air interface and its absorption is limited to the wavelengths below 268 nm. Neither benzene interactions with the water molecules of ice nor the formation of dimers and microcrystals at the air-ice interface thus causes any substantial bathochromic shift in its absorption spectrum. Such a critical evaluation of the photophysical properties of organic contaminants of snow and ice is essential for predictions and modeling of chemical processes occurring in polar regions.

The effect of oxygen tension on human articular chondrocyte matrix synthesis: Integration of experimental and computational approaches

Significant oxygen gradients occur within tissue engineered cartilaginous constructs. Although oxygen tension is an important limiting parameter in the development of new cartilage matrix, its precise role in matrix formation by chondrocytes remains controversial, primarily due to discrepancies in the experimental setup applied in different studies. In this study, the specific effects of oxygen tension on the synthesis of cartilaginous matrix by human articular chondrocytes were studied using a combined experimental-computational approach in a “scaffold-free” 3D pellet culture model. Key parameters including cellular oxygen uptake rate were determined experimentally and used in conjunction with a mathematical model to estimate oxygen tension profiles in 21-day cartilaginous pellets. A threshold oxygen tension (pO2 ≈ 8% atmospheric pressure) for human articular chondrocytes was estimated from these inferred oxygen profiles and histological analysis of pellet sections. Human articular chondrocytes that experienced oxygen tension below this threshold demonstrated enhanced proteoglycan deposition. Conversely, oxygen tension higher than the threshold favored collagen synthesis. This study has demonstrated a close relationship between oxygen tension and matrix synthesis by human articular chondrocytes in a “scaffold-free” 3D pellet culture model, providing valuable insight into the understanding and optimization of cartilage bioengineering approaches. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1876–1885.

A combined experimental-computational study of benzoxaborole crystal structures

Benzoxaboroles are organoboron molecules which are gaining growing interest in different fields, notably for the development of new drugs. However, extensive characterization of these molecules in the solid state is still lacking. Here, questions related to the structure and spectroscopic signatures of crystalline benzoxaborole phases are thus addressed, using a combined experimental-computational approach. Two simple benzoxaboroles were studied: 1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2,1-benzoxaborole (denoted as BBzx) and 5-fluoro-1,3-dihydro-1-hydroxy-2,1-benzoxaborole (also referred to as AN2690, a newly developed antifungal drug). First, the crystal structures of AN2690 and BBzx at room temperature are discussed, emphasizing the intermolecular interactions which play an important role in their formation. Then, results of IR and multinuclear (1H, 11B, 13C and 19F) solid state NMR characterization are presented, together with density functional theory (DFT) calculations which were carried out to assist in the interpretation of the spectra. Finally, the influence of polymorphism and anisotropic thermal expansion properties of the crystal structures on the NMR parameters of BBzx and AN2690 is discussed.

Hygrothermal performance of innovative renovation renders used for different types of historical masonry

A combined experimental-computational approach is applied for the estimation of service life of innovative renovation renders. In the experimental part, the durability of two commercial renovation renders is determined in terms of their frost resistance, together with two newly developed renovation plasters that are supposed to be produced commercially in the near future. The computational part is aimed at the investigation of freeze-thaw cycles that may occur in surface layers of the plaster during its life time period. To achieve this, a diffusion type model of coupled heat and moisture transport is used. As a load-bearing structure several materials which are characteristic for historical buildings are chosen, namely ceramic brick, sandstone and arenaceous marl.

Pattern transfer during deposition and fixation of oligomeric bisphenol A on pre-structured copper surfaces

Pattern transfer during deposition of oligomeric bisphenol A (OBA) on pre-structured Cu surfaces is investigated by means of a combined experimental-computational approach. Aiming for quantitative prediction of experiments, as characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), we explore the capabilities of stochastic rate equations to quantitatively account for the spatio-temporal evolution of surface topography. While surface diffusion and deposition noise constitute the main mechanisms, pattern transfer is affected by the inclusion of retardation in the interface potential, which appears to be necessary beyond a critical initial surface slope. In addition, routes for successful surface fixation by cross-linking are also demonstrated, which may pave the way for further technological use.

Nucleation‐Controlled Distributed Plasticity in Penta‐twinned Silver Nanowires

A unique size-dependent strain hardening mechanism, that achieves both high strength and ductility, is demonstrated for penta-twinned Ag nanowires (NWs) through a combined experimental-computational approach. Thin Ag NWs are found to deform via the surface nucleation of stacking fault decahedrons (SFDs) in multiple plastic zones distributed along the NW. Twin boundaries lead to the formation of SFD chains that locally harden the NW and promote subsequent nucleation of SFDs at other locations. Due to surface undulations, chain reactions of SFD arrays are activated at stress concentrations and terminated as local stress decreases, revealing insensitivity to defects imparted by the twin structures. Thick NWs exhibit lower flow stress and number of distributed plastic zones due to the onset of necking accompanied by more complex dislocation structures.

Determination of friction coefficient in unconfined compression of brain tissue

Unconfined compression tests are more convenient to perform on cylindrical samples of brain tissue than tensile tests in order to estimate mechanical properties of the brain tissue because they allow homogeneous deformations. The reliability of these tests depends significantly on the amount of friction generated at the specimen/platen interface. Thus, there is a crucial need to find an approximate value of the friction coefficient in order to predict a possible overestimation of stresses during unconfined compression tests. In this study, a combined experimental–computational approach was adopted to estimate the dynamic friction coefficient μ of porcine brain matter against metal platens in compressive tests. Cylindrical samples of porcine brain tissue were tested up to 30% strain at variable strain rates, both under bonded and lubricated conditions in the same controlled environment. It was established that μ was equal to 0.09±0.03, 0.18±0.04, 0.18±0.04 and 0.20±0.02 at strain rates of 1, 30, 60 and 90/s, respectively. Additional tests were also performed to analyze brain tissue under lubricated and bonded conditions, with and without initial contact of the top platen with the brain tissue, with different specimen aspect ratios and with different lubricants (Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS), Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Silicone). The test conditions (lubricant used, biological tissue, loading velocity) adopted in this study were similar to the studies conducted by other research groups. This study will help to understand the amount of friction generated during unconfined compression of brain tissue for strain rates of up to 90/s.

The avian midbrain and the tecto-isthmic circuit: Cells, Circuits, Concepts

Event Abstract Back to Event The avian midbrain and the tecto-isthmic circuit: Cells, Circuits, Concepts Harald Luksch1* 1 Technische Universität München, Department of Animal Science, Germany The vertebrate dorsal midbrain (superior colliculus in mammals, optic tectum in all other vertebrate classes) is a central interface between sensory stimuli and behavioral motor patterns. The tectum consists of multiple laminae with specific cell types and connectivity with many similarities between vertebrate classes. The tectum receives a strong retinal projection that forms a map of visual space in the upper layers. This map acts as a master coordinate system for other sensory afferents (auditory, somatosensory etc.), leading to a multimodal representation of the sensory environment. While the size of the optic tectum is variable among vertebrates, the sensorimotor functions of the tectum appear to be conserved for all vertebrate classes. While a homologation of the midbrain across vertebrates is difficult, I will discuss a hypothesis to explain the anatomical change that occurred during mammalian evolution. With a high degree of structural order, identifiable cell types and known input and output connectivity, the analysis of the tectum with a combined experimental-computational approach can provide a mechanistic understanding of sensory computation. By integration of projections with other visual and non-visual nuclei in the brain, the basic neuronal computations can be gradually extended to generate more complex functions. Recent advances have been made in the analysis of feedback loops formed between the optic tectum and a group of nuclei in the isthmic area in several bird species. The function of these circuits is considered to be a bottom-up attentional system that identifies the most salient object and allows for both orienting movements as well as fast motor responses in, for example, escape behaviours. These functions are not restricted to visual computation, but (taking into account the tectal role as a multisensory spatial center) deals predominantly with spatial coordinates to identify potential targets through a saliency-based process. Recent electrophysiological as well as modelling studies in the chicken midbrain have suggested that a variety of mechanisms is implemented in the tecto-isthmic network, ranging from stimulus competition and attentional switching to inhibition of return and novelty preference. Most of these functions are however mechanisms that comprise the entire network and are hard to evaluate from single-cell recordings, but require the analysis of the network’s spatio-temporal activation pattern. To this end, we have taken to optical imaging of voltage-dependent dyes in a slice preparation where the tecto-isthmic network is largely intact. By mimicking sensory input with patterned electrical stimulation, we can record the network activation upon various stimulation protocols and evaluate whether the current models of tecto-isthmic circuitry are valid. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience in Munich, Germany Keywords: feedback circuits, isthmic system, multimodal integration, tectum opticum Conference: Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology, College Park. Maryland USA, United States, 5 Aug - 10 Aug, 2012. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (see alternatives below as well) Topic: Sensorimotor Integration Citation: Luksch H (2012). The avian midbrain and the tecto-isthmic circuit: Cells, Circuits, Concepts. Conference Abstract: Tenth International Congress of Neuroethology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnbeh.2012.27.00321 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 2012; Published Online: 07 Jul 2012. * Correspondence: Prof. Harald Luksch, Technische Universität München, Department of Animal Science, Freising-Weihenstephan, Bavaria, 85354, Germany, harald.luksch@wzw.tum.de Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. 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