Date: Wednesday 19th November 2003
Title: From particle detectors to retinal studies
Speaker: Dr Keith Mathieson (Glasgow)
Abstract
Particle physics experiments have led the advancement of silicon detector
technology in recent years. The resulting development of high-density,
multi-channel circuitry for the detection of microvolt signals has
potential application in other areas of science. One of these applications
is in the field of neurophysiology, where detector technology can allow
biological neural networks to be studied. Semiconductor fabrication
techniques are used to fabricate microelectrode arrays that allow the
concerted signalling of retinal cells to be studied. Understanding the
code that the retina uses to process visual images is key to addressing a
cure for some forms of blindness.