Comprehensive Network Analysis of Jellyfish Nervous Systems

Takeo Katsuki, PhD

Most of our current picture of neuronal networks has been built on single-cell recording. In our lab, we take an alternative approach. We carry out an extensive perturbation analysis on a comprehensively monitored neuronal network to develop a theoretical framework that captures the essence of the network properties that distinguish different functional states. We are currently developing a reliable preparation to monitor real-time firing patterns in a jellyfish nervous system.  We are also generating genome sequences of several jellyfish species in order to apply tools of molecular genetics to jellyfish.