Drew Patel

Biological neural networks may have the potential to be engineered as a power efficienct computational device due to their natural ability to learn and process information. Advanced neural engineering technologies including optogenetics, patterned optical stimulation, and high-speed optical detection provide tools to build high-bandwidth interfaces to the networks. This project is part of a research to investigate the feasibility of using living neural networks as an alternative computing platform. 

Conducting experiments on biological living neural networks takes a long time. In order to run more experiments fast, this work builds models in simulators that can closely resemble biological neural networks in different cultures. The focus of this work is to build network topologies. Finding the pairwise connections between neurons directly through wet-lab experiments is expensive: one must measure every pair of neurons and use intracellular recording to determine whether a synapse exists or not. This work proposes a new method to estimate the topology of optogenetically stimulated neural networks. A set of networks are simulated with tunable connectivity parameters. Experiments are conducted on the simulated networks, which closely mimic the wet-lab experiments. The network that delivers the closest spiking statistics as the statistics in the wet-lab experiment is chosen as the best matching network model. 

The results of this project will be used as an important component of the simulation infrastructure to investigate the use of living neural networks as a computing device.

Drew Patel is a junior studying Computer Engineering at Lehigh University. He performs undergraduate research in Dr. Guo’s computer architecture lab. In the lab, he has been programming and analyzing models for in vitro neuron cultures. Outside of academics, Drew works as a full stack and AI developer for a data and analytics company in banking. Through his research and outside interests, he is eager to learn more about machine learning, and the next advancements it can offer in all fields. He has also been passionate about the environment and is involved in his local community in their efforts to preserve the watershed.