Dr Anton Nikolaev
School of Biosciences
Lecturer in Neuroscience
+44 114 222 5113
Full contact details
School of Biosciences
B1 221b
Alfred Denny Building
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TN
- Profile
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Brief career history
- 2013 - present: Lecturer, School of Biosciences, the University of Sheffield
- 2008 - 2013: Postdoctoral Fellow, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge
- 2006 - 2008: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Sheffield
- 2005 - 2006: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Umea
- 2001 - 2005: PhD, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Science, St.Petersburg
- 1994 - 2000: BSc, MSc, University of St.Petersburg.
- Research interests
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Our research is focused on investigating the neuronal circuits responsible for information processing in the visual system.
The vertebrate visual system is able to recognize a remarkable number of objects of different appearances but the mechanisms and neural circuits underlying this ability are not known. To tackle this problem we use in vivo imaging of neuronal activity in zebrafish and follow the processing of visual information in different brain areas.
Neuronal circuits involved in processing of visial information in zebrafish
To understand the organisation of neuronal circuits performing processing of visual information in zebrafish. Using a combination of behavioural and imaging techniques we study how the zebrafish visual system processes visual information. Our main goal is to understand how information about object identity is encoded in the activity of visual neurons.
The range of questions we ask includes: what features are extracted by the early visual system in order to make object recognition efficient? How do these features converge to form receptive fields of object recognising neurons? What is the role of adaptation in this process?
To answer these questions we image neuronal activity in zebrafish larvae. We are using zebrafish lines expressing calcium activity indicators in all or subset of visual neurons. These indicators change their brightness when neuron is active.
The advantage of this method is that it is non-invasive and allows for the simultaneous study of a large population of neurons - something that is currently unfeasible using other techniques.
To understand how memory is encoded in changes in synaptic strength. We are develop GFP based reporters of long-term potentiation and long-term depression. These reporters will be used in vivo to understand how simple forms of associative and non-associative memory are implemented in changes in synaptic strength.
To answer these questions we are developing behavioural paradigms that will allow us to combine evaluation of memory formation with in vivo imaging of synaptic strength.
Collaborators
- Publications
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Show: Featured publications All publications
Featured publications
Journal articles
- An open-source framework for automated high-throughput cell biology experiments. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9. View this article in WRRO
- Coordinated Ras and Rac Activity Shapes Macropinocytic Cups and Enables Phagocytosis of Geometrically Diverse Bacteria. Current Biology, 30(15), 2912-2926.e5. View this article in WRRO
- Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels Reduce Network Excitability, Improving Adaptability and Energetics for Transmitting and Perceiving Sensory Information. Journal of Neuroscience, 39(36), 7132-7154. View this article in WRRO
- Long-term imaging of calcium dynamics using genetically encoded calcium indicators and automatic tracking of cultured cells. BioTechniques, 65(1), 37-39.
- Imaging Neuronal Activity in the Optic Tectum of Late Stage Larval Zebrafish. Journal of Developmental Biology, 6(1). View this article in WRRO
- A Synaptic Mechanism for Temporal Filtering of Visual Signals. PLoS Biology, 12(10). View this article in WRRO
- Synaptic mechanisms of adaptation and sensitization in the retina. Nature Neuroscience, 16(7), 934-941.
- Network Adaptation Improves Temporal Representation of Naturalistic Stimuli in Drosophila Eye: I Dynamics. PLoS One, 4(1). View this article in WRRO
- Encoding of Luminance and Contrast by Linear and Nonlinear Synapses in the Retina. Neuron, 73(4), 758-773.
All publications
Journal articles
- An open-source framework for automated high-throughput cell biology experiments. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9. View this article in WRRO
- Coordinated Ras and Rac Activity Shapes Macropinocytic Cups and Enables Phagocytosis of Geometrically Diverse Bacteria. Current Biology, 30(15), 2912-2926.e5. View this article in WRRO
- Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels Reduce Network Excitability, Improving Adaptability and Energetics for Transmitting and Perceiving Sensory Information. Journal of Neuroscience, 39(36), 7132-7154. View this article in WRRO
- Long-term imaging of calcium dynamics using genetically encoded calcium indicators and automatic tracking of cultured cells. BioTechniques, 65(1), 37-39.
- Imaging Neuronal Activity in the Optic Tectum of Late Stage Larval Zebrafish. Journal of Developmental Biology, 6(1). View this article in WRRO
- A Synaptic Mechanism for Temporal Filtering of Visual Signals. PLoS Biology, 12(10). View this article in WRRO
- Synaptic mechanisms of adaptation and sensitization in the retina. Nature Neuroscience, 16(7), 934-941.
- Network Adaptation Improves Temporal Representation of Naturalistic Stimuli in Drosophila Eye: I Dynamics. PLoS One, 4(1). View this article in WRRO
- Network Adaptation Improves Temporal Representation of Naturalistic Stimuli in Drosophila Eye: II Mechanisms. PLoS One, 4(1). View this article in WRRO
- Distinct Roles for Two Histamine Receptors (hclA and hclB) at the Drosophila Photoreceptor Synapse. Journal of Neuroscience, 28(29), 7250-7259.
- Impact of synaptic feedbacks from L2 neurones on the signaling performance of Drosophila photoreceptors. JOURNAL OF NEUROGENETICS, 20(3-4), 191-192.
- Functional Properties of Endogenous Receptor- and Store-operated Calcium Influx Channels in HEK293 Cells*. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280(17), 16790-16797.
- Homer family proteins regulate the activity of Imin channels in plasma membrane of HEK293 cells. Biologicheskie Membrany, 21(6), 466-472.
- I
min -channels in plasma membrane of human embryonic kidney cells. Biologicheskie Membrany, 21(3), 212-219.
- Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate modulates activity of receptor-induced calcium entry channels in A431 cells. Biologicheskie Membrany, 19(1), 23-31.
- Plasma Membrane Calcium Channels in Human Carcinoma A431 Cells Are Functionally Coupled to Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor-Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate Complexes*. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 7(275), 4561-4564.
- Regulation of the miniature plasma membrane Ca(2+) channel I(min) by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors.. J Biol Chem, 274(37), 25983-25985.
- A study of the growth of stable clones of mouse fibroblast cell line C3H10T1/2 expressing the human retinoblastoma gene product. Tsitologiya, 40(2-3), 159-160.
- Co-ordinated Ras and Rac activity shapes macropinocytic cups and enables phagocytosis of geometrically diverse bacteria.
- Spikes in Retinal Bipolar Cells Phase-Lock to Visual Stimuli with Millisecond Precision. Current Biology, 21(22), 1859-1869.
- Encoding of Luminance and Contrast by Linear and Nonlinear Synapses in the Retina. Neuron, 73(4), 758-773.
Chapters
- Analysis of the retina in the zebrafish model In Detrich HW, Westerfield M & Zon LI (Ed.), The Zebrafish Cellular and Developmental Biology, Part B Developmental Biology (pp. 257-334).
Preprints
- Different behaviourally relevant stimuli evoke different forms of adaptation in the olfactory system, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- An open-source experimental framework for automation of high-throughput cell biology experiments, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- Ca2+-activated K+ channels reduce network excitability, improving adaptability and energetics for transmitting and perceiving sensory information, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
- An open-source framework for automated high-throughput cell biology experiments. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9. View this article in WRRO
- Teaching activities
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Undergraduate taught modules
- BMS109-153 Neuroscience
- BMS109 Practical Classes
- BMS242 Advanced Concepts in Molecular Physiology (Co-ordinator)
Teaching experience
2015: Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching from the University of Sheffield (Fellow of The Higher Education Academy, FHEA)
- Professional activities and memberships
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- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)