UM Biophysics Faculty | Michal Zochowski

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Michal Zochowski

Experimental and theoretical studies on dynamical aspects of brain function

Zochowski

Assistant Professor, Department of Physics

Assistant Research Scientist, Biophysics Research Division

Ph.D., University of Warsaw, Poland

Dept: Physics/Biophysics

Office Address: 4022 Chemistry Building

Phone: (734) 615-7311, (734) 647-5552

Email: michalz@umich.edu

Lab home page

The focus of our work in this laboratory is to increase understanding about mechanisms of formation and the role of spatio-temporal patterns emerging in the brain during the information processing. This is done using both, experimental as well as theoretical approaches.

We employ optical imaging systems (CCD camera and/or photodiode array) to monitor activity of large cell populations at the same time. Dependent on the experimental design we can monitor spatially averaged population response of many cells or activity of many separate neurons.

It is hypothesized that synchronized activity of many cells, which is often seen as periodic oscillations, plays an important role in information processing in the brain. In one of our projects we are using voltage sensitive dyes and 464-element photodiode array, in conjunction with electrode recordings to monitor odor evoked activity of large cell populations as well as single cells in turtle olfactory bulb. Specifically, we are interested in understanding spatio-temporal properties of oscillations appearing during and after odor presentation.

In other project we monitor interaction between neurons grown in culture. Because of the relative simplicity of the system it is much easier to closely monitor cell-cell interactions as well as perturb the system through electrical
stimulation or pharmacological means. Thus, the culture can be used as testbed for simplified theoretical models of dynamical interactions in coupled systems. This in turn can yield information about dynamics of neural activity under different conditions that can be later used to better understand large scale activity of brain circuits.

The experimental work is done in close connection with theoretical and numerical studies. Results of experimental studies of odor evoked oscillations in olfactory bulb will be used to construct biologically realistic model, that in turn may yield predictions that can be later confirmed. On the other hand, dynamical properties of simplified models of interacting coupled nonlinear elements can be compared with macroscopic properties of cultured systems. Here the emphasis is put on understanding how changes in slow variables (neuromodulation) effect the neural response and thus information processing on a local level.

Representative Publications

Zochowski M, LS Liebovitch (1997), Synchronization of the trajectory as a way to control the dynamics of the coupled system, Phys Rev. E 56, 3701.

Zochowski M, LS Liebovitch (1999), Self organizing dynamics of coupled map system, Phys Rev E 59, 2830.

Zochowski M, LB Cohen, G Furhmann, D Kleinfeld (2000) Distributed and largely separate pools of neurons are correlated with two different components of the gill withdrawal reflex in Aplysia, J. Neurosci., 20(22), 8485-8492 .

Zochowski M (2000), Intermittent dynamical control, Physica D 145, 181-190.

Lam Y-W, LB Cohen, M Wachowiak, M Zochowski, (2000), Odors elicit three different oscillations in the turtle olfactory bulb, J. Neurosci. 20, 749.

Nowak A, R Vallacher, M Zochowski (2002) The Emergence of Personality: Personal Stability through Interpersonal Synchronization, in Advances in personality science, D. Cervone & W. Mischel (Eds.), New York: Guilford Publications

Johenning FW, M Zochowski, SJ Conway, AB Holmes, P Koulen, and BE Ehrlich (2002) Distinct intracellular calcium transients in neurites and somata integrate neuronal signals. J. Neurosci. 22, 5344-5353.

Zochowski M, R Dzakpasu (2002) Adaptation and synchronization as a way to control spatio-temporal pattern formation in the system of coupled logistic maps, Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence and Applications 82, 927-932.

Lam Y-W, LB Cohen, M Zochowski (2003) Effect of odorant quality on the three oscillations and the DC signal in the turtle olfactory bulb. J. Euro. Neurosci, accepted.

Zochowski M, R Dzakpasu (2003) Synchronization and adaptation as a means of dynamical information processing, in press.

Zochowski M, R Dzakpasu (2003) Adaptation of nonlinear systems through dynamic entropy estimation, in press

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Biophysics Research Division University of Michigan 4028 Chemistry Building 930 North University Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1055 UMsitemaker	Phone: (734) 763-6722 Fax: (734) 764-3323 E-mail: biophysics@umich.edu Last Updated: 9/3/2003 © Copyright 2006 University of Michigan