Nikolai Otmakhov

Research Scientist II

Intercellular and intracellular signal integration. 

Synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. 

Molecular mechanisms of synapse assembly and modification.

• 1. Acute in vitro brain slices, organotypic brain culture, dissociated hipppocampal nuronal culture
• 2. Whole-cell patch clamp recording
• 3. Intracellular perfusion technique
• 4. Fluorescent imaging of intradendritic processes
• 5. Fluorescent confocal microscopy
• 6. Sharp microelectrode intracellular recording
• 7. Extracellular recording of single unit and field potentials 
• 8. Electrical stimulation, microsurgery, superfusion and microinjection of pharmacological agents 
• 9. Computer programming of acquisition and analysis programs (Axobasic)
• 10. Basics of histology, immunostaining and electron microscopy
• 11. cDNA purification and transfection into mammalian cells
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• 1990, Ph.D.: Neurophysiology, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, USSR Academy of Sciences 
• 1987 - 1989: Post-graduate courses at Divisions of Moscow State University and Mathematics Research Institute, USSR Academy of Sciences.
• 1977, M.Sc.: Biophysics /Neurophysiology, Gorky State University, USSR

• 1994 - pres.: Research Scientist II at the Lab. of Prof. John Lisman, Volen Center, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
• 1991 - 1993: Postdoctoral associate at the Lab. of Prof. Roberto Malinow, Department of Physiology and Biophysics University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 
• 1977 - 1991: Research Fellow, Research Scientist at the Lab. of Prof. Olga Vinogradova, Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, USSR Academy of Sciences

Nonna Otmakhova

Research Scientist

The role of dopamine (and other neuromodulators) in hippocampal synaptic function and plasticity, implications for the information processing under normal and pathological conditions (schizophrenia, alcohol and drug addiction).

MAJOR FIELDS OF TRAINING AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE: 

• ‘In vitro’ and ‘in vivo’ electrophysiology (EEG, field potential, and intracellular recording).
• Stereotaxic surgery on small laboratory animals (mice, rats, rabbits). 
• Pharmacology in electrophysiological and behavioral studies in animals. 
• Animal behavioral methods (place conditioning, passive and active avoidance, positive reinforcement learning, open field, hot plate, Porsolt's forced swimming test, elevated plus-maze, dopamine stereotypies). 
• Animal models of epilepsy, depression, anxiety, alcohol, and drug addiction. 
• Basics of computer programming. 
• Basics of histology. 

• 1993-pres. Society for Neuroscience, regular member 
• 1997 –1999 1F32 MH11720-01 NIH INRSA Award. and Mathematics Research Institute, USSR Academy of Sciences.
• 1997 - 1999 NARSAD Young Investigator Award. 
• 1998 – 2000 The Supreme Council 33o Scottish Rite Schizophrenia Research Program, N. M. J., USA 

Edwin Richard

Research Scientist

Natalia Slutskaya

Laboratory Technician