Santamaria Lab

One UTSA circle, Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78458

Fidel.santamaria@utsa.edu Phone: +1 (210) 458-6910

Dendritic structure & computation

Perhaps stating that neurons are a collection of molecules, structures, and ions might sound too obvious. However, how all these elements are arranged spatially and temporally to process relevant information, store memories, and execute complex tasks, that are essential to human survival, is still a mystery. My aim is to discover and understand the fundamental physical and chemical mechanisms that allow single neurons to perform such tasks.

 

An underlying question in most of my work is to understand how the structure of a neuron, that being the shape of a dendritic tree, a dendritic spine, or intracellular content, affects the electrical and biochemical signal processing in single neurons.

 

We use a two-prong approach to solve this problem. We use abstract and detailed computer models that might be electrophysiological, or biochemical, using differential equations or Monte Carlo methods. The models can be simple or complex, and are usually implemented on High Performance Computing platforms. 

 

The other approach is the use of fluorescent microscopy in all shapes and forms. From traditional light fluorescence, confocal, two-photon, and more modern techniques, such as fluoresce correlation spectroscopy and single photon counting. Of course, we also study the electrophysiological properties of single cells. 

 

I’m always looking for talented under/graduate students and postdocs. Contact me if you’re interested.

A sample of how we visualize two-photon images of Purkinje cells and Monte Carlo simulations of LTD. Click image to enlarge.

We are organizing a Workshop during the CNS meeting in Paris this July. The theme is: Computational Properties of Inhibitory Synapses. Here is all the info