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About

Shemesh Lab

Shemesh Lab

Modulations in neural circuit dynamics and microstructures can translate to functional enhancements (e.g., upon plasticity), or, conversely, to severe functional deficits (e.g., upon neurodegeneration). We are interested in identifying and investigating the links between such longitudinal functional modulations, their underlying micro-architectural modifications, and the ensuing behavioral responses in vivo. To this end, we harness ultrahigh field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) coupled to specificity-endowing modalities such as optogenetics and optical microscopy. These offer the opportunity of eliciting activity in circuits of interest, and concomitantly monitoring the ensuing activity in 3D. We further develop and apply novel methodologies based on nonBOLD mechanisms, which can potentially provide much insight into the nature of the activity, as well as probe rather fast dynamics. Microstructures are unraveled via MR methodologies tailored to probe cellular-scale size distributions (in white matter) as well as highly heterogeneous morphologies (in gray matter). These measurements are performed in vivo using state of the art 9.4T and 16.4T scanners, in both anesthetized and behaving rodents, as well as in animal models of neurodegeneration and plasticity. Our long term goals are to understand the mechanisms by which modifications in the tissue’s microstructure transcend globally and modulate function and behavior, and to explore the potential of these as early disease biomarkers.

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Get in touch

To find out more about our lab, contact Noam Shemesh via email.

Lab Webpage

Shemesh Lab

Team

Shemesh Lab

Know our Team

Noam Shemesh

Principal Investigator

Andrada Ianus

Research Associate

Cristina Chavarrías

Postdoctoral Researcher

Francisca Fernandes

Masters Student

Frederico Severo

2017 INDP PhD Student

Joana Carvalho

Postdoctoral Researcher

Rafael Henriques

Postdoctoral Researcher

Rita Alves

2021 INPDP PHD Student

Rita Gil

2016 INDP PhD Student

Ruxanda Lungu

PhD Student

Sara Pires Monteiro

PhD Student

Sónia Gonçalves

Visiting Scientist

Tal Shemesh

Postdoctoral Researcher

Vânia Miguel

Research Technician

Veronika Ruivo

Masters Student

Vesna Petojevic

Vesna Petojevic

Lab Administrator

Publications

Shemesh Lab

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