Research area

How do animals navigate their environment using their senses? The brain combines different sensory streams like vision, smell, touch, and hearing along with information from prior experience such that an animal can move around to find food and mate, and escape predators and other dangers. We are interested in understanding the neural pathways and mechanisms underlying the integration of these sensory inputs and with memory.

For this, one can look at the behavior of animals while manipulating their sensory inputs. And at the physiological level, one can record the activities of neurons in the brain in response to various stimuli. By analyzing behavior and neuronal activity, one hopes to figure out the principles underlying navigation in animals. Simple model animals like insects are well suited for these studies because they are usually robust and easy to experiment with.

One can then use experimental data to build computational models and explore beyond what is possible in physical experiments, and obtain theoretical understanding of these principles.

Techniques applied in our research

We use computer vision algorithms to analyze behavior of animals from recorded videos, and apply signal processing , information theory, and other analytical tools for investigating electrophysiological data. We also develop biophysically detailed models of single neurons and their networks, and conduct in silico experiments with these models. This requires simulation tools, precise formats for describing models and neuronal (experimental and simulated) data, which form part of the field of Neuroinformatics.

Journals

S. Ray, K. Sun, and M. Stopfer, “Innate attraction and aversion to odors in locusts,” PLOS ONE, vol. 18, no. 7, p. e0284641, Jul. 2023, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284641.

S. Ray and M. A. Stopfer, “Argos: A toolkit for tracking multiple animals in complex visual environments,” Methods in Ecology and Evolution, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 585-595, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.1111/2041-210X.13776.

S. Ray, Z. N. Aldworth, and M. A. Stopfer, “Feedback inhibition and its control in an insect olfactory circuit,” eLife, vol. 9, p. e53281, Mar. 2020, doi: 10.7554/eLife.53281.

S. Ray, C. Chintaluri, U. S. Bhalla, and D. K. Wójcik, “NSDF: Neuroscience Simulation Data Format,” Neuroinformatics, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 147–167, Apr. 2016, doi: 10.1007/s12021-015-9282-5.

P. Gleeson, S. Crook, R. C. Cannon, M. L. Hines, G. O. Billings, M. Farinella, T. M. Morse, A. P. Davison, S. Ray, U. S. Bhalla, S. R. Barnes, Y. D. Dimitrova, and R. A. Silver, “NeuroML: A Language for Describing Data Driven Models of Neurons and Networks with a High Degree of Biological Detail,” PLoS Comput Biol, vol. 6, no. 6, p. e1000815, Jun. 2010, doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000815.

S. Ray and U. S. Bhalla, “PyMOOSE: Interoperable scripting in Python for MOOSE,” Front. Neuroinform., vol. 2, p: n/a, Dec. 2008, doi: 10.3389/neuro.11.006.2008.

Subhasis' Google Scholar page

Book Chapters

Subhasis Ray "Anubhutir Bahir O Bhitar (অনুভূতির বাহির ও ভিতর)", in Pratihar, S. (ed) Pran Pelo Prithibi (প্রাণ পেলো পৃথিবী), A Collection of Essays. Kabitika, 2022

N. Dudani, U. S. Bhalla, and S. Ray, “MOOSE, the Multiscale Object-Oriented Simulation Environment”, in Jaeger, D. and Jung, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Computational Neuroscience. New York, NY: Springer, pp. 14., 2013, doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-7320-6_257-1. ISBN: 978-1-4614-7320-6

Current members

	Prashant Tiwari Plaksha Summer Student	I'm Prashant Tiwari, hailing from a farming background. Nature captivates me, seen in my love for mango orchards and vast farmlands. Understanding the behavior of living beings is my research passion. I seek to understand their survival tactics, family dynamics, and food acquisition. Solving real-life challenges using technology intrigues me too: earthquakes, irrigation, pollution, energy, and transportation. In my free time, I explore the past's mysteries, play sports, create videos, write, and venture into new territories. My curiosity knows no bounds — I'm driven to unravel nature's enigmas.
	Govind Singh Plaksha Summer Student
	Harshpreet Kaur PhD Student	I’m Harshpreet Kaur, a postgraduate in Biophysics Honours, I am on an exciting odyssey of self-exploration, in pursuit of the boundless mysteries that science has to offer. During my research endeavours, I have become particularly fascinated by neurological studies with their potential applications in addressing and tracking animal behaviours, associated diseases and challenges. In my free time, I like cooking, playing sports, drawing, writing, and volunteering in outreach programs. My journey in neuroscience has just begun, and the crescendo of discovery awaits.

Past members

• Shagun Rana