Dr. Michael Adrian Colicos
Positions
Associate Professor
Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Full Member
Hotchkiss Brain Institute
Child Health & Wellness Researcher
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute
Contact information
Background
Educational Background
B.S. Biological Sciences, McMaster University, 1985
Doctor of Philosophy Biological Sciences, McGill University, 1999
M.S. Biological Sciences, McMaster University, 1988
Research
Areas of Research
Michael's lab is focused on the study of synaptic physiology, including developmental synaptogenesis, structural synaptic plasticity, and neuronal circuit formation. This is done in the context of specific neuropathological disorders, namely epilepsy and autism. There is a strong translational component to the work, which centers around the use of a device developed by Michael and Yukiko Goda at UCSD, which allows an interface between living neurons and digital silicon technology. This technology is used to study how autism-related mutations alter communication between neurons, and to establish an in vitro model system to study epileptic seizures. Engineering ties also include the development of nano-materials that facilitate the interface with living neurons, and through collaborations with Physica and Complexity Colleagues he is investigatining the non-linear dynamics of information flow through living neuronal networks with the hope of understanding how the brain functions to perform the many complex tasks and behaviours of humans. Using these technologies and integrating them with basic neurophysiological studies, Michael hopes to make a real-world difference, bettering the lives of individuals with conditions such as epilepsy and autism.
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Awards
- Society for Neuroscience, 2010
- The American Physiological Society, 2010
- Thomas Tyson Endowment for Research in Epilepsy, 2010
- award, 2009
- scholarship, 2009
- Society for Neuroscience, 2009
- The American Physiological Society, 2009
- Thomas Tyson Endowment for Research in Epilepsy, 2009
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