TSVP Talk: "Team Science at the Allen Institute: From Neuron Types to Neural Dynamics " by Jim Berg

Title: Team Science at the Allen Institute: From Neuron Types to Neural Dynamics 

Abstract: The mammalian brain is comprised of thousands of neuron types that interact in ways that ultimately lead to actions, emotions, and memories. One focus of the Allen Institute is to catalogue the incredible diversity in functional neuron types and how they interact. To this end, we have used the ‘Patch-seq’ technique to describe the gene expression, electrical activity, and morphology of thousands of mouse and human neurons. We have recently launched the Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics, where we aim to understand how neuron types, networks, and neurochemicals interact to lead to complex decision-making. In this talk, I will describe how we use collaborative teams to address these goals. 

Profile: Jim is the Director of Scientific Operations for the Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics. He joined the Allen Institute for Brain Science in 2012, where he led a team to use the Patch-seq technique to catalogue the electrophysiological, morphological, and transcriptomic profile of thousands of neurons from mouse and human brain sections, publicly released as part of the Allen Cell Types Database. Previously, he studied the role of the TMEM16A ion channel in pain processing and engineered a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor for ATP. Jim joined the Allen Institute for Neural Dynamics in 2020 as the Director of Scientific Operations (also employee #1), where he and his team work to support and accelerate the work of the scientific groups. Jim has two kids (Orion (10yo) and Maylin (7yo)) who keep him very busy. Personal website

Target audience: General audience/everyone at OIST and beyond.
Freely accessible to all OIST members and guests without registration.

This talk will also be broadcast online via Zoom:

Meeting ID: 969 8223 3099
Passcode: 021050

※ Please note that this event may be recorded and the videos uploaded. In addition, photos may be taken during the event. These are intended for publication online (the OIST website, social media, etc.)※