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Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics
Thomas KNOPFEL
Laboratory Head
Thomas KNÖPFEL (M.D., Ph.D.)
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Research Areas

The Laboratory for Neuronal Circuit Dynamics investigates mechanisms underlying the operation of neuronal circuits. Neuronal circuits operate through the interactions between individual neurons and assemblies of neurons. In addition to standard patch clamp techniques, we emphasize the use of optical recording techniques that allow us to monitor electrical and chemical signals in neuronal tissue at many sites simultaneously. With this aim in mind, we are developing and applying innovative optical imaging techniques based on environmentally-sensitive fluorescent probes. Membrane voltage, ion concentrations or second messenger levels can modulate the optical properties of such probes.

Research Subject

  1. Technologies for imaging neuronal activity
  2. Neuronal circuit dynamics

Related links

  1. RIKEN Brain Science Institute Website_Laboratories PageNew Window
  2. Individual Website Laboratory PageNew Window

Press release

July 12, 2010
Optogenetic probes to image brain electrical activity in laboratory mice
December 25, 2009
New fluorescent proteins report electrical signals of brain cells

RIKEN RESEARCH

September 24, 2010
The brain lights up
The dynamic activity of electrical signals in neuronal populations can now be visualized with a powerful toolNew Window
August 28, 2009
Intercepting the transmission
A genetically encoded fluorescent sensor offers a real-time glimpse into how a key neurotransmitter relays its messageNew Window
October 24, 2008
Brain waves
Electrical oscillations in one part of the brain suggest that it may interact with another to guide body movements New Window
June 22, 2007
Calcium sensor illuminates learning and memory pathway
A new pathway involved in cerebellar learning and memory has been identified with the help of a transgenic calcium sensorNew Window
February 16, 2007
Lighting up the living brainNew Window

List of Selected Publications

  1. AKEMANN, W.; MUTOH, H.; PERRON, A.; ROSSIER, J.; KNÖPFEL, T.:
    "Imaging brain electric signals with genetically targeted voltage-sensitive fluorescent proteins."
    Nat Methods.7(8): 643-649 (2010)
  2. PERRON, A.; MUTOH, H.; LAUNEY, T.; KNÖPFEL, T.:
    "Red-Shifted Voltage Sensitive Fluorescent Proteins"
    Chemistry & Biology 16: 1268-1277 (2009)
  3. MARCAGGI, P.; MUTOH, H.; DIMTROV, D.; BEATO, M.; KNÖPFEL, T.:
    "Optical measurement of mGluR1 conformational changes reveals fast activation, slow deactivation and sensitization"
    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 106(27): 11388-11393 (2009)
  4. MIDDLETON, S.J.; RACCA, C.; CUNNINGHAM, M.O.; TRAUB R.D.; MONNYER, H.; KNÖPFEL, T.; SCHOFIELD I.S.; JENKINS A.; WHITTINGTON, M. A.:
    "High frequency network oscillations in cerebellar cortex"
    Neuron 58: 763-774 (2008)
  5. QIU, D.L.; KNÖPFEL, T.:
    "An NMDA receptor/nitric oxide cascade in presynaptic parallel fiber-Purkinje neuron Long-Term Potentiation"
    J. Neurosci. 27:3408-3415 (2007)
  6. UUSISAARI, M.; OBATA, K.; KNÖPFEL, T.:
    "Morphological and electrophysiological properties of GABAergic and non-GABAergic cells in the deep cerebellar nuclei"
    J. Neurophysiol. 1:901-911 (2007)
  7. AKEMANN, W., KNÖPFEL, T.:
    "Interaction of Kv3 potassium channels and resurgent sodium current influences the rate of spontaneous firing of Purkinje neurons"
    J. Neurosci. 26: 4602-4612 (2006)
  8. MUTOH, H., YUAN, Q., KNÖPFEL, T.:
    "Long-Term Depression at Olfactory Nerve Synapses"
    J. Neurosci. 25: 4252-4259 (2005)
  9. IWASATO, T., DATWANI, A., WOLF, A., NISHIYAMA, H., TAGUCHI, Y., TONEGAWA, S., KNÖPFEL, T., ERZURUMLU, R., ITOHARA, S.:
    "Cortex-restricted disruption of NMDAR1 impairs neuronal patterns in the barrel cortex"
    Nature 406: 726-731 (2000)
  10. CHARPAK, S., GÄHWILER, B.H., DO, K.Q. & KNÖPFEL, T.:
    "Potassium conductances in hippocampal neurons blocked by excitatory amino-acid transmitters"
    Nature 347: 765-767 (1990)

Members

Principal Investigator

Thomas KNÖEPFEL
Laboratory Head

Members

Hiroki MUTOH
Research Scientist
Yun Kyung PARK
Research Scientist
Yukiko MISHINA
Research Scientist
Walther AKEMANN
Research Scientist
Sunita Ghimire GAUTAM
Research Associate
Naoyo HORIGUCHI
Technical Staff I
Yuka IWAMOTO
Technical Staff I
Nisha Jose PONNEDUTHAMKUZHY
Technical Staff II
Wataru SUZUKI
Technical Staff II
Ruth Mary EMPSON
Senior Visiting Scientist
Jean ROSSIER
Senior Visiting Scientist
Thomas BEHNISCH
Senior Visiting Scientist
Amelie PERRON
Visiting Scientist
Alan URBAN
Visiting Scientist
Atmika PAUDEL
Part-time Staff