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                       BIOINFORMATICS COLLOQUIUM
                    School of Computational Sciences
                        George Mason University
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     Computational Neuroanatomy: Building a Brain Neuron by Neuron

                          Giorgio Ascoli, PhD
                 Head, Computational Neuroanatomy Group
                  Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
               George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030
                       www.krasnow.gmu.edu/ascoli

                        Tuesday, October 7, 2003
                      5:00 pm (Note Special Time)
        Verizon Auditorium, Building PW1, Prince William Campus

The staggering complexity of the brain is continuously uncovered by
modern neuroscientists at all level of active research, from molecular
structure to cognitive phenomena. We propose that computational models
including detailed and realistic anatomical knowledge constitute a
necessary approach to investigate the relationship between structure,
activity, and function in the nervous system. In this talk, we will
present recent results demonstrating the fundamental role of neuronal
morphology in the establishement and regulation of electrophysiological
dynamics and network connectivity. In addition, we will show how
stochastic models based on experimental measurements can capture the
functionally relevant anatomical details of neuronal trees. This opens
the possibility to construct full-blown "virtual brains" which could
provide umprecedented possibilities in both neuroscience and IT
research.

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Refreshments are served at 4:30 pm.  Find the schedule and directions at
http://www.binf.gmu.edu/colloq.html