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Neurophysiology I

 

Course: Measurement and Analysis of Neuronal Activity -
A Technical Introduction
Instructors: C. Boucsein, U. Egert1
Tutors:  
Location: Schänzlestr. 1, 5th floor, lab of Prof. Aertsen, Room 05.070
Time / Duration: Three weeks full time
Start:  Oct 14th, 9 c.t.
  
   
   

1Biomikrotechnik, Institut f. Mikrosystemtechnik (IMTEK)

 

The course is intended to give a thorough introduction to the use of typical, electronic laboratory equipment and analysis techniques in neurobiological research, typical problems encountered and their solutions. These include oscilloscope, amplifier, computer, high pass-, low pass- and band pass filters, analog to digital, and digital to analog converters, storage and handling of digitized data, problems related to digital data acquisition (sampling rate and information loss), and data analysis on the computer (what is possible, what are the limits). Although no 'real' biological experiments will be performed, the data analyzed are representative for those.

 

In neurobiology, electrophysiological experiments in vitro and in vivo are essential to develop new insights into the function of synapses, single nerve cells, and neural networks as a whole. This course is intended to give an introduction to the theoretical background as well as to the practical usage of basic experimental tools. It will be devided into two main parts:

(1)    measurement, transformation, and storage of the relevant biological signals

We will consider the measurement of time-dependent signals. This includes the appropriate usage of an oscilloscope, the influence of noise, signal processing with filters, amplifiers and analog-to-digital conversion of dynamic signals. In the practical part you will learn to know and use some of the building blocks of electrophysiological setups and how to interpret the technical boundary conditions of such measurements.

(2) data analysis

Principles and function of data analysis concepts and software will be introduced briefly. Starting from basic programming techniques, specific algorithms, concepts and strategies for the analysis of electrophysiological data are developed and applied to (real) data from in vitro and in vivo recordings. Commercial programming software (Matlab, Mathworks Inc.) is used. No preliminary experience in programming is required but nonetheless this would be helpful.


Participation in this or an equivalent course is required before participating in either of the following courses:


These projects generally rely on the knowledge taught in the two courses mentioned above.
Form of assessment: Course Protocols.

 

Please note: the Lectures and Exercises address students of Biology or Medicine with an interest in neuroscience.

Please note that students with a BSc or MSc background in Microsystems Engineering typically already know most of what is taught in this course. If you are interested in neuroscience and have this background we prefer that you enroll in the course Neurophysiology II in the summer semester to learn actual measurements in nervous tissue, applying your engineering knowledge in electrophysiological experiments.

For these students the course "Biomedical Instrumentation Laboratory" offered at the IMTEK by Prof. Stieglitz is more adequate.

 

 

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