Data-driven Atlases for High-throughput Biology and Neuroscience: Construction and Some Utilities

GRAND Seminar 12:00 noon, April 27, Tue., 2010, ENGR 4201

Parvez Ahammad
Research Specialist
Janelia Farm Research Campus, HHMI

Abstract: Rapidly advancing bioimaging techniques and recombinant constructs now allow us to target sets of genes and cells in model organisms and generate large quantities of data to aid in the investigation of development and function. Significant fraction of such datasets are acquired in the form of images and videos. Using Drosophila melanogaster as the model organism of choice, I will discuss how one can leverage sophisticated computational and statistical techniques to build data-driven atlases (or models) of spatial gene expression and neuronal anatomy. I will also show some examples of how such atlases can be used as a guide to investigate behavioral aspects of the underlying organism.