RESEARCH
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RESEARCH
Research
Executing successful movements requires the brain to predict the consequences of actions. It is believed that the brain builds internal models of our body and the environment in order to simulate the sensory and motor outcomes of movements.
Due to the constant changes in our body and environment (for instance, those due to fatigue, tool-use, or disease) these models require constant re-calibration, called motor adaptation, to keep us moving in predictable ways.
Where in the brain these models reside, how they are formed, and how they are updated following bodily or environmental changes remains unclear.
The goal of the laboratory is to reverse engineer the neural circuits that drive adaptive motor behavior. We hope that by understanding the neural basis of adaptive motor control we can open new avenues in therapeutic research for neurological disease and provide fundamental insights into brain function.
Novel mouse paradigms for studying adaptive motor control
We believe behavior is an essential component to understanding neural function.
We have developed a set of skilled motor tasks where mice can learn from a dynamically changing sensory landscape. By combining concepts from optimal motor control with the power of the mouse's genetics and accessibility, our lab aims to uncover fundamental principles that guide motor adaptation, learning, and control.
Technology
We are using and building on the latest techniques in 2-photon and deep brain imaging (including utilizing multi-area imaging with a 2-photon mesoscope), to uncover the neural correlates of adaptive behavior. We use optogenetics and chemogenetics to test what roles diverse areas have during behavior. Furthermore, we develop computational models to generate testable hypotheses and analyze our data. Lastly, we aim to develop new robotics for the mouse community. Taken together, we aim to better understand how multiple areas interact to facilitate adaptive motor control.
News
News
News
September 1st, 2017
The lab doors are open!
August 2017
Our very talented friend, Taiga Abe, who completed his Harvard College thesis (Analysis and modeling of movement kinematics in a mouse model of motor adaptation) with Mackenzie, Alexander, and Nao, started his PhD graduate studies at Columbia University today! Congratulations!
May 2017
We will be presenting new work at NCMDub this week! Stop by our poster cluster to learn more about our past and future work.
March 22, 2017
Our paper is out today in Neuron! Somatosensory Cortex Plays an Essential Role in Forelimb Motor Adaptation in Mice
March 2017
L to R: Prof. Nao Uchida, Dr. Mackenzie Mathis, Prof. Venki Murthy
Ph.D. successfully defended!
Here is a story from MCB Harvard about the new lab:
MCO GRADUATE TO OPEN LAB THROUGH THE ROWLAND INSTITUTE AT HARVARD
Feb 2017
First motor behavior paper accepted - stay tuned!
January 2017
Please consider joining! http://www2.rowland.harvard.edu/employment
come see our poster at COSYNE 2017!
Somatosensory cortex plays an essential role in forelimb motor adaptation in mice
Mathis, M.W., Mathis, A., Uchida, N. (2017). Cosyne Abstracts 2017, Salt Lake City USA
It's official! The lab will open at the Rowland Sept 1st!
December 2016