I’m interested in structure-function relationships in neural circuits and behavior, with a focus on motor and somatosensory areas of the mouse’s cortex involved in controlling forelimb movements. In one line of investigation, we take a bottom-up, cellularly oriented approach and use optogenetics, electrophysiology, and related slice-based methods to dissect cell-type-specific circuits of corticospinal and other neurons in forelimb motor cortex. In another, we take a top-down ethologically oriented approach and analyze the kinematics and cortical correlates of “oromanual” dexterity as mice handle food. I'll discuss recent progress on both fronts.

Who says you can't reinvent the wheel?! This running wheel for head-fixed mice allows 3D reconstruction of body kinematics using a single camera and DeepLabCut (or similar) software. A lightweight, transparent polycarbonate floor and a mirror mounted on the inside allow two views to be captured simultaneously. All parts are commercially available or laser cut

Brendan Ito (Cornell University, USA) and Teja Bollu (Salk Institute, USA) share unique insights into rapid online motor corrections during mouse licking, analogous to primate goal-oriented reaching. Techniques covered include large-scale single unit recording during behaviour with optogenetics, and a deep-learning-based neural network to resolve 3D tongue kinematics during licking.