Research Description:
Dr. Katz has a joint appointment in the Neuroscience Institute as well as the Department of Biology
NEUROMICS, NEUROMODULATION, AND THE EVOLUTION OF NEURONAL CIRCUITS
We are interested in how neuromodulatory actions are temporally
integrated by neuronal circuits. Our primary research species is the
opisthobranch mollusc, /Tritonia diomedea/, which produces an escape
swimming response to contact to with a predator. A neuron that is a
component of the central pattern generator (CPG) circuit for swimming in
Tritonia contains the biogenic amine, serotonin, which it uses for both
neurotransmission and neuromodulation. We are currently using
physiological, calcium imaging, and computational approaches to examine
how this neuron provides flexibility to the pattern generating circuit.
In particular, we are looking at how the second messenger actions of
serotonin are integrated by post-synaptic neurons on a moment-to-moment
basis. This "Biochemical Integration" may play a role in the generation
of the behavior rather than simply in its modulation.
We are also interested in the evolution of neuronal circuits. We have
identified homologous neurons in different molluscan species that seem
to subserve different functions. We are comparing the neurophysiological
properties of these neurons to better understand how species-specific
behaviors might have evolved. We have recently begun to use gene
expression to identify neurons. This may allow us to find additional
homologous neurons.
Finally, we are building a web-based tool called NeuronBank
for cataloging information about identified
neurons and their connections. This neuroinformatic approach will allow
users to publish and search for information about neurons and synapses.
Recent Publications:
Newcomb, JM and Katz PS (2008) Different functions for homologous serotonergic interneurons and serotonin in species-specific rhythmic behaviours. (online)
E.S. Hill and P.S. Katz (2007) The role of membrane potential in calcium signaling during rhythmic bursting in Tritonia swim interneurons. Journal of Neurophysiology, 97(3): 2204-2214 PMID: 17229821
S Clemens, R Calin-Jageman, and PS. Katz (2007 ) Altering cAMP levels within a central pattern generator modifies or disrupts rhythmic motor output. J. Comp. Physiol. 193(12):1265-71. PMID: 17972082
R. Calin-Jageman, M. Tunstall, B. Mensh,P.S. Katz, W. N. Frost (2007) Parameter space analysis suggests multi-site plasticity contributes to motor pattern initiation in Tritonia. Journal of Neurophysiology (EPub). PMID: 17652417
R.J. Calin-Jageman, A. Dhawan, H. Yang, H.-C. Wang, H. Tian, P. Phoungphol, C. Frederick, J. Balasooriya, Y. Chen, S.K. Prasad, R. Sunderraman, Y. Zhu, and P.S. Katz (2007) Development of NeuronBank: A Federation of Customizable Knowledge Bases of Neuronal Circuitry, Proceedings of the Ist IEEE International Workshop on Service Oriented Technologies for Biological Databases and Tools - IEEE Services Computing Workshops (SOBDAT/SCW 2007). July 13, Salt Lake City, Utah.
See more publications >>
Grant Support:
National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke (NINDS), National Science Foundation (NSF),National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
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