Biological neural circuits (BNCs) are complex neurite networks with interwoven neurons that process information and exchange communications through synapse (the small gap at the end of a neuron that allows a signal to pass from one neuron to the next) connections. Within BNCs, neuron arrangement and connectivity vary based on specific tasks. BNCs can coordinate physiological behaviors throughout the body by transmitting electric impulses and chemical signals. Together with patterned neurons, BNCs show great potential in many applications in computational neuroscience, biohybrid robotics and as a testbed for validating computational and machine learning paradigms. BNCs design requires computational tools to fully understand morphological growth and the regulation of material transport in neural circuits. The morphological growth of neurons is a very complex process involving both genetic and environmental components. How a neurite initiates from the soma (the body of the cell) and creates the axon (that carries signals from the soma to other targets) from dendrites (the receiving portion of the neuron) during growth remains challenging to predict. In addition, intracellular material transport is especially crucial to ensure necessary materials are delivered to the right locations for the development, function, and survival of neural circuits. The transport disruption can lead to abnormal accumulations of certain cellular material and extreme axonal swelling. This project will advance knowledge of the fundamental mechanism of neural growth, material transport regulation, and circuit dynamics. The resulting computational tools will support BNCs design and future development of biohybrid robotics and new therapies. The developed simulation software, research and educational materials will be disseminated broadly, including National Biomechanics Days in Pittsburgh.
Funding Agency: NSF - Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
Project Period: 7/2024 - 6/2027
Abstract Page: NSF-2332084
Research team
Victoria Webster-Wood
Associate Professor
Mechanical Engineering
Courtesy appointments
Biomedical Engineering, Robotics Institute
Humphrey Yang
Post-Doctorate
Chunghwan Kim
Post-Doctorate
Myungbo Kim
Doctorate