We invite applications for an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher in the area of computational neuroscience or systems biology. A new collaborative project with Kyushu U has been launched to elucidate biochemical signaling involved in the development of the olfactory system. We are working on a project to simulate how neural circuits in the brain acquire function through development. As an example, we are focusing on the process of mitral cell dendritic pruning that leads to the acquisition of odor selectivity (Fujimoto 2023, Dev Cell 58, 1221–1236). This process is governed by the coupling of biochemical signaling of small G proteins and neuronal electrical activity. In addition, the neural circuit simulation will be performed to elucidate the emergent process of odor information processing. The NEURON simulator or other platform simulators will be useful for this project.

The ability of the brain to encode and store information depends on the plastic nature of the individual synapses. The increase and decrease in synaptic strength, mediated through the structural plasticity of the spine, are important for learning, memory, and cognitive function. Dendritic spines are small structures that contain the synapse. They come in a variety of shapes (stubby, thin, or mushroom-shaped) and a wide range of sizes that protrude from the dendrite. These spines are the regions where the postsynaptic biochemical machinery responds to the neurotransmitters. Spines are dynamic structures, changing in size, shape, and number during development and aging. While spines and synapses have inspired neuromorphic engineering, the biophysical events underlying synaptic and structural plasticity of single spines remain poorly understood. Our current focus is on understanding the biophysical events underlying structural plasticity. I will discuss recent efforts from my group — first, a systems biology approach to construct a mathematical model of biochemical signaling and actin-mediated transient spine expansion in response to calcium influx caused by NMDA receptor activation and a series of spatial models to study the role of spine geometry and organelle location within the spine for calcium and cyclic AMP signaling. Second, I will discuss how mechanics of membrane-cytoskeleton interactions can give insight into spine shape region. And I will conclude with some new efforts in using reconstructions from electron microscopy to inform computational domains. I will conclude with how geometry and mechanics plays an important role in our understanding of fundamental biological phenomena and some general ideas on bio-inspired engineering.