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<div><font face="Arial" color="#000000">Seminar on<br>
<b>Modern Optics and Spectroscopy<br>
<br>
<br>
Edward Boyden</b>,<br>
Massachusetts Institute of Technology<br>
<br>
<i><b>Optical control of normal and pathological neuronal circuit
dynamics<br>
<br>
</b></i>March 18, 2008<br>
<br>
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000000">Our lab has
developed methods for turning on and off specific kinds of neuron<br>
in the brain, using pulses of blue and yellow light. We are now
exploring the use<br>
of this technology for reprogramming specific cells in the brain, to
correct<br>
pathological neural activity and to enhance cognition. We are
developing<br>
both safe, effective viral technologies for sensitizing specific
neuron classes<br>
to light, as well as optical hardware for reprogramming cells, and we
are also<br>
discovering principles of how to use these technologies to reprogram
specific<br>
neural circuits. In this way we hope to open up new
understandings of brain<br>
function and also develop radical new circuit-focused therapies for
otherwise</font></div>
<div><font face="Times New Roman" color="#000000">intractable
disorders.</font><br>
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