Dr Michael Ashby
B.Sc.(Hons), PhD
Current positions
Senior Lecturer
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
We investigate how anatomical and synaptic plasticity coordinate to change the structure and function of neural circuits in the mammalian cortex. We are particularly interested in the dramatic changes to brain circuitry that occur early in life, when the brain in growing, and in dementia, when brain function collapses. Using high resolution optical stimulation and recording combined with molecular, genetic and electrophysiological methods, we aim to define how external and internal influences on synaptic function control the normal and pathological cortical circuit plasticity that underlies lifelong brain function.
This is an example of the type of connectivity map generated using 2-photon stimulation and patch clamp electrophysiology to detect and measure synaptic connections. Each sphere represents a neuron inside the barrel structure that is found in the sensory cortex. The green neuron was recorded during the experiment and is shown here with all its dendrites. The other neurons were stimulated during the experiment to find those that make synaptic connections with the recorded cell. Only a small proportion of cells, those shown in colour, are connected. This type of map tells us about rates of connectivity, the properties of those synapses and the geometric relationship between connected cells. Comparing these maps at different stages of early postnatal development allows us to understand the processes involved in the formation of circuitry in the sensory cortex (Ashby & Isaac 2011, Neuron 70:510-521).
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Modalities for Understanding, Recording and Integrating Data Across Early life
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDates
01/04/2022 to 31/03/2027
Vulnerability of long-range axons in tauopathy
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDates
10/01/2022 to 09/01/2025
Neuromodulation of Sensory Processing
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDates
01/05/2019 to 30/04/2021
Synaptic pathway degeneration in the early stages of dementia
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDates
01/11/2017 to 28/02/2018
Template neuronal networks in developing neocortex
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Physiology, Pharmacology & NeuroscienceDates
03/01/2013 to 03/05/2016
Thesis supervisions
Changes in Dendritic and Synaptic Function During Early Postnatal Development of the Mouse Barrel Cortex
Supervisors
Postnatal Development of Neural Networks in the Healthy and Premature Brain
Supervisors
Investigating synaptic tau localisation in neurodegeneration using Expansion Microscopy
Supervisors
Relationships Between Presynaptic Structural Plasticity and Mitochondrial Localisation in Rodent Cortical Axons
Supervisors
Investigating, implementing, and creating methods for analysing large neuronal ensembles
Supervisors
PTEN and SUMOylation in Membrane Protein Trafficking
Supervisors
Postnatal development of the mouse barrel cortex
Supervisors
Early postnatal development of neocortex-wide activity patterns in GABAergic and pyramidal neurons
Supervisors
Investigating local network interactions within the Locus Coeruleus, in the context of anatomical and functional modularity
Supervisors
Investigating Argonaute phosphorylation and miR-134 in Alzheimer's disease
Supervisors
Publications
Recent publications
11/02/2020A Bayesian predictive approach for dealing with pseudoreplication
Scientific Reports
Presynaptic boutons that contain mitochondria are more stable
Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience
Convergent Metabotropic Signaling Pathways Inhibit SK Channels to Promote Synaptic Plasticity in the Hippocampus
Journal of Neuroscience
MEF2A regulates mGluR-dependent AMPA receptor trafficking independently of Arc/Arg3.1
Scientific Reports
Correlative two-photon and serial block face scanning electron microscopy in neuronal tissue using 3D near-infrared branding maps
Methods in Cell Biology