The Neuron-silicon Interface and the Future of Neural Prosthetics; 11th Annual Provost's Neuroscience Symposium October 9, 2003

Thu, October 9, 2003 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Admission: Free

Andrus Gerontology Center (GER)
Auditorium
University Park Campus

This annual symposium emphasizes emerging areas of neuroscience and neural engineering.

Now in its 11th year, the Provost?s Neuroscience Symposium brings together some of the generation?s most brilliant scientific minds. The theme of this year?s symposium is the convergence of cognitive and biological science with technology.

Highlights of this year?s symposium will include:
- Jay Hickman, Clemson University, discussing the design and sensing of fundamental neural circuitry through culturing of neurons on silicon substrates;
- Bruce Wheeler, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, lecturing on neuron-silicon interface issues, microfluidics and neural circuit design;
- Steve DeWeerth, Georgia Tech University, highlighting the development of motor pattern generating hybrid circuits that consist of combinations of small numbers of living neurons and silicon model neurons;
- James Weiland, USC, reviewing progress on developing intraocular implants for artificial retinal function;
- Richard Andersen, Caltech, presenting his work on developing systems for direct neural control of reach and grasp robotics for motor system prosthetics; and
- Ted Berger, USC, presenting work on the development of a cognitive prosthetic for the hippocampus, to restore memory function.

Previous symposium discussions have involved the workings of memory, recently discovered links between brain structure and violent crime, and the future of silicon chips in repairing and augmenting the living brain.

Larry Swanson, holder of the Appleman Professorship in Biological Sciences and director of the NIBS neuroscience program, currently chairs the Provost's Neuroscience Advisory Group, a group of administrators and faculty who oversee neuroscience activities at the university as a whole.



More Information:

* 213-740-9176