RA Post - Closing Date error
Nigel Crook (ntcrook@brookes.ac.uk)
Mon, 19 May 1997 16:23:32 +0100 (BST)
Sorry, I got the closing date for applications for this post wrong on
the last mailshot. The actual closing date is 23rd May. See the
following web pages for more information:
http://www.brookes.ac.uk/cms/studentships/project10.html
http://www.brookes.ac.uk/brookes/vacancy/wwwads294.html#ad8
Regards
Nigel Crook
Research Assistant Post in Computational Neuroscience
Computation in biological and artificial neural networks
The aim of this project is to investigate the computational properties
of biological neurons with a view to applying the results of this
investigation to questions of computation and learning in artificial
neural networks (ANNs). The aim is to apply findings about
information processing and storage in biological neural networks (BNN)
to improve the performance of ANNs. A secondary aim is to contribute
to general knowledge and understanding of information processing in
BNNs.
Current ANNs are based on highly simplified models of biological
systems, with synaptic strengths represented as real numbers, the
integration of presynaptic inputs as simple linear summation, and
adaptation and learning modelled by non-biological processes such as
backpropagation. Neurophysiological research, on the other hand,
indicates that true biological neurons display very complex
computational and adaptive properties; the dendritic trees of
pyramidal neurons, for example, appear able to extract detailed
information from their neural environments through the spatio-temporal
ordering of their inputs. This information, in turn, may determine the
initiation of action potentials at the axon hillock on its own, or
modulate the capacity of basal synaptic stimuli to initiate action
potentials. Additionally, dendritic spines seem to play a vital role
in learning and information processing in cortical and hippocampal
neurons. We have carried out preliminary simulations of simple
dendritic trees using the GENESIS and the NEURON biological simulators
and believe that this work should be continued on a more systematic
basis by a research student.
The aim of this continuing research would be to clarify some of the non-linear
behaviour that dendritic trees implement and to carry these functions over
into new algorithms for information processing and learning in ANNs. We
believe that this could lead to the development of new concepts, models,
topologies and algorithms.
Qualifications
Good honours degree (first or second class) or equivalent in computing or a
cognate discipline is essential.
Application forms and further details of these posts can be obtained from:
Research Admissions,
School of Computing and Mathematical Scineces,
Oxford Brookes University,
Headington,
Oxford OX3 0BP
Tel: +44 (0)1865 483652
Fax: +44 (0)1865 483666
CLOSING DATE: 23rd May 1997
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Nigel Crook, Senior Lecturer in Knowledge Engineering __ _____ _____ _____
Intelligent Systems Research Group / / /____/ /___ / /____/
School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences / / //___ //__// //___
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK / / /___ / / __/ ///_ /
Tel: +44 [0]1865 48371 / / ____// // \\ //__//
Fax: +44 [0]1865 483666 /_/ /____/ // \\/____/
Email: ntcrook@brookes.ac.uk
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