Our Research
We focus on understanding how individual neurons in the mammalian striatum contribute to the sensorimotor integration necessary for reinforcement learning. It is our hope that this work will eventually shed light on the underlying biological dysfunction found in pathological disruptions of volitional action and learning that are characteristic of Parkinson's disease and addiction. To learn more about our research questions you can read a short summary.
Open Postions
Currently, our lab is fully staffed; however, there are possibilities for visiting scientists and students to work in the lab for fixed periods of time and on defined projects. Inquiries can be sent directly to the lab by email.
For interested undergraduates, our lab has taken part in the Janelia Undergraduate Scholars program in the past and will continue sponsor students in the coming years.
Recent Publications
February, 2009
Dudman JT and Nolan MF.
Stochastically gating ion channels enable patterned spike firing through activity-dependent modulation of spike probability.
PLoS Computational Biology 5(2):e1000290
December, 2007
Tsay D, Dudman JT, and Siegelbaum SA.
HCN1 constrains synaptically-evoked calcium events in distal dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons.
Neuron. 56(6):1076-1089
December, 2007
Dudman JT, Tsay D, and Siegelbaum SA.
A role for distal synaptic inputs: instructive signals for hippocampal synaptic plasticity.
Neuron. 56(5):866-79
Other Publications
Review of a popular neuroscience book: Journal of Clinical Investigation 118(8):2674