Jana Populova, MSc

PhD student

populova.jana@seznam.cz 

Laboratory of Neural Circuit Optophysiology

Department of Physiology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University

Scientific background

I started working in this Laboratory during my bachelor´s studies as I was interested in epilepsy with the aim to help elucidate mechanisms leading to seizures. Since then I wrote my bachelor´s thesis on the malformations of cortical development associated with seizures and my master´s thesis based on experiments in a mouse model of focal cortical dysplasia and the role of interneurons in epileptic seizures. I also decided to continue this work in PhD program in Neuroscience.

Research interests

My project is focused primarily on the role of interneurons in epileptic seizures both in acute and chronic models of epilepsy. With the use of calcium and voltage imaging, in combination with implanted cranial window, we aim to acquire new relevant knowledge and ultimately answer why these interneurons fail to terminate the seizures, or whether they are actually involved in seizure initiation and propagation.