Poulain Bernard

Biography

His research interest is to understanding of the mechanisms of neurotransmission (with a special focus on pre- and postsynaptic plasticity mechanisms) and functional organization of the neuronal network in the cerebellum. They have addressed presynaptic mechanisms using an electrophysiological approach (quantitative biology approach, home-made analytical algorithmic), and the molecular aspects, in an integrated view. Using optogenetic tools developed by Philippe Isope, current experimental approaches combine light stimulation of specific subset of neurons and electrophysiological recordings. During the past 5 years, they have identified a novel form of synaptic plasticity based on the switching on-off of the functional state of release sites. They are currently investigating how synapses in the cerebellum can maintain their synaptic efficacy at various frequencies (low frequency, high frequency bursts). Large part of the team effort is aimed at analyzing how the neuronal network in cerebellar cortex defines functional modules.

Research Interest

Neurology