Using C. elegans as a Platform for Multimodal Neural Data
Date:
This talk explores how the nematode C. elegans presents an opportunity for integrating multiple dimensions of neural function. With only 302 neurons, complete connectome mapping, optical transparency, and genetic tractability, C. elegans enables comprehensive study across three fundamental modalities: molecular genetic profiles, network connectivity, and neural activity dynamics.
I discuss recent technological advances allowing whole-nervous-system measurements of these modalities, computational frameworks for their integration, and propose approaches to overcome current limitations in multimodal data acquisition and integration.