We study the nonlinear dynamics of complex systems at various spatial and temporal scales. We have specific expertise in the modeling of single neurons, neuronal aggregates, and macroscopic brain dynamics. The methods used cover both biophysical and phenomenological descriptions of cellular electrophysiology for the reproduction of electrical activity at the microscopic scale and arrive at inverse modeling for the reconstruction of sources at the macroscopic scale, with a specific focus on dysfunctions related to ion channels, Alzheimer’s, and Epilepsy. The group also has expertise in the use of spiking neural networks for the modeling of memory phenomena and in the study of criticality regimes in the brain.

C. elegans nervous system modeling 

This research activity, started in 2017, aims to investigate the mechanisms of C. elegans neurons functioning through biophysical models of single-cell behavior. We develop detailed models of sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons of the nematode, which are building blocks of networks and behavior simulations. Our activity also focuses on modeling the nematode response to odorants and investigating polymodal sensory responses by combining genetic manipulation of C. elegans strains and calcium imaging experiments. The project is conducted in collaboration with the Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science (CLN2S@Sapienza) of the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT).
References:

M. Nicoletti et al. PLoS ONE, 2019; 14(7): e0218738; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218738.
D. Caprini et al. Adavaced Biol., 2021; 2100927; DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202100927.
M. Nicoletti et al. Biomol. Conc., 2023; 14: 20220035; DOI: 10.1515/bmc-2022-0035.
E.Lanza et al. PLoS ONE, 2024; 19(3): e0300628; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300628.
M. Nicoletti et al. PLoS ONE, 2024;19(3):e0298105; DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300628.

In silico neuron cultures for AD study

We investigate, with a Hodgkin-Huxley based simulation platform, bidimensional neuronal cultures, reconstructing spontaneous activity in terms of membrane voltage traces and calcium dynamics, and performing post-analysis for the evaluation of frequency spectrum of the average calcium response across the neuronal population and the distribution of pairwise correlation coefficients across single cells calcium responses to assess emergent network synchronization. We can simulate growing neuronal cultures from WT and AD mice. The work is done in collaboration with the Center for Life Nano and Neuro Science (CLN2S@Sapienza) of the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), and with the National Institute of Optics INO – CNR.

Spiking neuronal network models for investigating brain criticality

We study the critical regimes in brain dynamics, with statistical mechanics tools, in silico and with clinical data. We use a spiking neuronal network modular model, with a learning stage for storing patterns of activity, to simulate the collective emerging dynamics. 

Collaborations: CLN2S@Sapienza – IIT; S. Scarpetta; P. Sorrentino, M.A.G. Matarrese.

People

Simonetta Filippi, Letizia Chiodo, Alessandro Loppini, Martina Nicoletti, Mattia Stefano, Marianna Angiolelli

Projects

EBRAINS-Italy