The overall theme in our lab is to leverage experimental and computational techniques in order to understand dynamical phenomena in neurons and networks of neurons.

Currently, our primary focus involves the modulation of persistent activity in cortical microcircuits. We build computer models of neurons and circuits and then we test these models using imaging and electrophysiology in the brain slice preparation. The goal is to understand now problems with neuromodulation - and particular with dopamine signaling - might play a role in diseases such as schizophrenia.

A second, related line of inquiry involves understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of second messengers. We have used IP3 mediated Ca2+ signaling to understand how second messenger systems can impart dynamical properties and extended time scales to cellular processes, and in particular, neurons in networks.

We are also interested in the mechanisms which lead to cell death in neurodegenerative disease. We leverage experimental and computational tools to look at how cellular stressors such as reactive oxygen species might lead to Ca2+ signaling problems and subsequent cell suicide. Central to this work is an understanding of mitochondrial function.

Representative Publications

Fall, C. P., Rinzel, J. (2006) An intracellular Ca2+ subsystem as a biologically plausible source of intrinsic bistability in a network model of working memory. Journal of Computational Neuroscience. 20(1):97-107. Fall, C.P. , Lewis, T., Rinzel, J. (2005) Background activity dependent properties of a network model for working memory that incorporates cellular bistability. Biological Cybernetics. 93(2):109-118.

Fall, C.P., Wagner J, Loew, L.M., Nuccitelli, R. (2004) Cortically restricted production of IP3 leads to propagation of the fertilization Ca2+ wave along the cell surface in a model of the Xenopus egg. Journal of Theoretical Biology 231(4):487-496. J. Wagner, J., C.P. Fall, F. Hong, C.E. Sims, N.L. Albritton, R.A. Fontanilla, I.I. Moraru, L.M. Loew, R. Nuccitelli. (2004) A wave of IP 3 production accompanies the fertilization Ca 2+ wave in the egg of the frog, Xenopus laevis: theoretical and experimental support. Cell Calcium 35(5):433-447.

Beierlein, M.L., Fall, C.P., Rinzel, J., Yuste, R.M. (2002) Thalamocortical Bursts Trigger Recurrent Activity in Neocortical Networks: Layer 4 as a Frequency-Dependent Gate. Journal of Neuroscience 22(22):9885-9894. Fall, C.P., Keizer, J.E. (2001) Mitochondrial modulation of intracellular Ca(2+) signaling. Journal of Theoretical Biology 210(2):151-65.

Fall, C.P., J.P. Bennett, Jr. (1999) Visualization of cyclosporin A and Ca2+-sensitive cyclical mitochondrial depolarizations in cell culture. Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta/Bioenergetics 1410(1):77-84. Fall, C.P., Bennett, J.P., Jr. (1999) Characterization and Time Course of MPP+ induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Journal of Neuroscience Research 55(5):620-628.

Fall, C.P. , Bennett, J.P., Jr. (1998) MPP+ induced SH-SY5Y apoptosis is potentiated by cyclosporin A and inhibited by aristolochic acid. Brain Research 811(1-2):143-6.

Textbooks
Fall, C.P., Marland, E., Wagner, J.M., Tyson, J.J., Eds. Computational Cell Biology. New York: Springer Verlag. (2002)