Thesis Project Form
Title (tentative): Spectral dynamics of extracellular neuronal signaling in developing 2D MEA cultures| Thesis advisor(s): Frega Monica, Michela Chiappalone | E-mail: |
| Address: | Phone: (+39) 010 33 52144 |
Description
Motivation and application domain
hiPSC-derived neuronal cultures on MEA systems offer a powerful in vitro model to study the maturation of neural network activity. Longitudinal characterization of LFP spectral dynamics and spike-based metrics in 2D neuronal cultures remains limited, and this thesis addresses that gap using recordings from the TUBA cell line across multiple developmental timepoints.
General objectives and main activities
Development of MATLAB pipelines for LFP spectral analysis and spike-based metrics on MEA recordings from 2D hiPSC-derived cortical cultures. Analyses include: band power quantification (delta–gamma, DIV 47–59); phase-amplitude coupling (Modulation Index); aperiodic component fitting (FOOOF); recording system validation for LFP suitability.
Training Objectives (technical/analytical tools, experimental methodologies)
Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) data acquisition and preprocessing; MATLAB programming for signal processing and biomedical data analysis; spectral analysis methods (Welch PSD, band power quantification); phase-amplitude coupling analysis (Modulation Index); aperiodic component fitting (FOOOF/specparam framework); statistical methods for longitudinal data (Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn-Šídák correction, linear mixed models); scientific writing and preparation of publication-quality figures.
Place(s) where the thesis work will be carried out: Tampere University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere NeuroGroup, Tampere, Finland.
Additional information
Pre-requisite abilities/skills: Knowledge of signal processing and MATLAB programming; basic understanding of neuroscience and electrophysiology; familiarity with statistical analysis methods.
Maximum number of students: 1