Dr. Shaul Hestrin

Biography

Shaul Hestrin is a Professor in the Department of Comparative Medicine at Stanford University. His primary research focus is on understanding the properties of neocortical neurons and the circuits that form from the inputs they receive, which lead to neuronal activity and behavior. His work employs various techniques including behavioral studies, two-photon calcium imaging, and in vivo whole-cell recordings of behaving animals, alongside optogenetic methods to modulate the activity of cortical neurons. The neocortex, which comprises 80% of the human brain, is associated with a wide range of functions including sensory perception, motor skills, memory, and higher cognitive processes. Essential insights stem from understanding the major synaptic inputs that originate from local cortical neurons, as well as thalamic inputs and distant corticortical connections that play a critical role in generating neuronal activity and behavior. Hestrin has developed methods to delineate cell types using genetic techniques, further characterizing the wiring patterns and synaptic properties associated with specific neuronal circuits. His investigations aim to connect neuronal properties and interactions with physiological conditions, emphasizing how the activity of cortical neurons influences perception in behaving mice.

Research Interests

Courses