Design Goals

Goal 1: Simulate the interactions of 1 and 2 coupled HCOs

In this portion of the project, the goal was to run MATLAB simulations to explore the parameter space of different neuron models in the context of one and two coupled half center oscillators with varying excitatory connections. In exploring the parameter space, we are able to study the limits of what would be biologically possible, and this will allow us to create a refined model. We evaluated the success of this portion by the execution of the dimensional stacking plots of the spiking period across 3,072 simulations of feedforward interactions with varying sets of input parameters to the Izhikevich neuron model for two HCOs.

Goal 2: Construct and calibrate the dynamic clamp

To successfully reach Goal 3, we had to construct a dynamic clamp and successfully calibrate it. We used the resource “A dynamic clamp on every rig” to build a dynamic conductance clamp. Then calibrate the parts in it (resistors, op amps, capacitor) to find the measured (rather than theoretical) values. These values would allow us to obtain a linear equation from a calibration experiment using the DAQ and a resistor-capacitor artificial cell. We assessed this goal by being able to plot that linear function through the received data and have our experimental values be within a five percent tolerance. The overarching aim was to perform calibration for future use in Goal 3.

Goal 3: Use the dynamic clamp in real leech neurons

The end goal of the hardware portion of the experiment was to employ the dynamic clamp in leech ganglion neurons to add shunt (time invariant, just a pulse) and a sodium (time variant, depending on voltage) conductances to modulate the cell. Success was measured by the observance of the shunt conductance vs. frequency graph trend, which was linear as expected. As well as the bursting behavior of the sodium conductance, which occurred between 100nS to 140nS.

Gantt Chart