Statistical analysis and modeling of cellular processes

We aim to develop methods and statistical models for obtaining information on biological processes from imaging.

Chasing functional ensembles in calcium imaging of Hydra’s neuronal activity to decode its behaviours’ repertoire

The overall objective of this project is to develop a mathematical framework to bridge the gap between single neuron imaging in vivo and the emergent computational properties of neuronal ensembles that encode animal’s behaviors. We’ll focus on the small cnidarian Hydra which possesses one of the most primitive and simple nervous system, and a limited repertoire of behaviors. We will tackle two important methodological issues: 1- the long-term tracking of individual neurons in moving and deforming animals and 2- the statistical inference of functional ensembles from calcium imaging of neuronal activity in vivo. These two developments will help us to understand how the cooperative activity of few computational units (neuron ensembles) can efficiently process information and control the limited repertoire of animals’ behaviors.