Research in my laboratory focuses on understanding the design and computing principles of biological sensory systems using the relatively simple invertebrate olfactory system. To achieve this goal , combining a variety of electrophysiological recording techniques and computational modeling approaches, we investigate how the multi-dimensional and dynamic odor signals are encoded as neural representations (odor coding) and processed by olfactory circuits in the brain.
Understanding how brain interprets complex sensory stimuli is also important for developing neuromorphic devices and algorithms for addressing parallel engineering problems. In collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, my lab is currently developing a neuromorphic ‘electronic nose’ based on MEMS microsensor arrays for non-invasive chemical sensing. Potential target applications for the electronic nose technology include medical diagnosis, homeland security, environmental monitoring, space explorations, robotics, and human-computer interaction.
Research Publications
Raman B, Stopfer M, Semancik S (2011 May 27). Mimicking biological design and computing principles in artificial olfaction. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2 (9): 487-499. Full Article >
Raman B, Joseph J, Tang J, Stopfer M (2010 Feb 10). Temporally diverse firing patterns in olfactory receptor neurons underlie spatiotemporal neural codes for odors. J Neurosci. 30 (6): 1994-2006. Full Article >
Ito I, Bazhenov M, Ong RC, Raman B, Stopfer M (2009 Dec 10). Frequency transitions in odor-evoked neural oscillations. Neuron. 64 (5): 692-706. Full Article >
Raman B, Meier DC, Evju JK and Semancik S. (2009) Designing and optimizing microsensory arrays for recognizing chemical hazards in complex environments. Sensors andActuators B 137: 617-629.
Raman B, Hertz JL, Benkstein KD, Semancik S (2008 Nov 15). Bioinspired methodology for artificial olfaction. Anal Chem. 80 (22): 8364-71. Full Article >
Ito I, Ong RC, Raman B, Stopfer M (2008 Oct). Sparse odor representation and olfactory learning. Nat Neurosci. 11 (10): 1177-84. Full Article >
Contact Info
Barani Raman, Ph.D.
Office Location: 2007 Brauer Hall
Office Phone: 314-935-8538
Lab Phone: 314-935-4881
Campus Box: 1097
barani@seas.wustl.edu
http://labs.seas.wustl.edu/bme/raman/
