Complex Biosystems student Kimberly Stanke was one of a select group of PhD students invited to attend the NIH BRAIN Initiative Summer Course on Models and Neurobiology held in June at the Computational Neurobiology Center at the University of Missouri.
The competitive two week course made possible by a National Institute of Health (NIH) grant was designed to introduce and strengthen the quantitative skills of researchers with biological backgrounds and increase the knowledge of neuroscience concepts. The hands on workshop introduced neuro-modeling coding and development as well as exposure to electrophysiology from a mathematical and systems perspective.
Stanke’s computational research project revolved around understanding the role of astrocytes in methamphetamine (METH) abuse using in vitro brain models.
“METH is a highly addictive, psychostimulant which costs the United States health care system billions of dollars every year in the treatment of use and misuse of the substance. Drug addiction is a chronic neurobehavioral disorder which involves the compulsive, repetitive self-administration of a substance despite severe negative consequences to the health and relationships of the user”, she explains. “In recent years, there have been many studies which have made significant progress in identifying potential receptors involved during drug abuse. However, the molecular bases surrounding these neurologic effects are largely uncharacterized. An important component of this understanding is the communication between neurons and astrocytes. Astrocytes are the most abundant glial (support) cells of the brain. These cells provide vital support to neurons including homeostasis and, importantly, the activation of glutamate type 1 transporters (GLT1) which remove up to 90% of the extracellular glutamate. During drug abuse, I believe that this activation of GLT1 is somehow disrupted.”
Through the NIH Brain Initiative at the University of Missouri, her hope is to gain the skills and insight needed to create a computational-model of this interaction which can be further elucidated by wet lab experiments.
“In my career, I would like to use calculus and other computational techniques to provide the physicians and engineers the numerical information necessary to protect and extend human life,” she adds.
The Computational Neurobiology Group is engaged in collaborative explorations of the functioning of neurons and networks, using both invertebrate and vertebrate model systems. Based at the University of Missouri (MU), our neuroscience collaborators include faculty from MU and other institutions.
http://engineering.missouri.edu/neuro/