Matt Udakis#
Matt Udakis
Senior Research Associate
I started my neuroscience adventures with a PhD in 2012 at the University of Bath, UK where I investigated the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the mechanisms of learning and memory in the prefrontal cortex, using brain slice electrophysiology with optogenetics. In 2016 I joined Jack’s lab as a postdoc where my research focuses on understanding how different inhibitory interneurons in the hippocampus regulate learning and memory mechanisms.
Research:#
My research within the lab started with a project investigating the interneuron subtype specificity of hippocampal inhibitory synaptic plasticity. Using brain slice electrophysiology and optogenetics we uncovered inhibitory plasticity rules unique to PV and SST interneurons whilst computational modelling in collaboration with Claudia Clopath’s lab provided a hypothesis for how this plasticity might alter place cell stability. Udakis et al 2020
Since then my research in the lab has focused on testing this hypothesis and trying to understand the role these interneurons have on hippocampal place cell formation and stability. I use a combination of 2-photon microscopy, brain slice electrophysiology and in vivo calcium imaging of place cells via miniscope recordings.
Current projects:#
Outside of the lab
I love to play squash.
Make interesting electronics projects.
Watch as much football as possible.
Tell everyone about my cat Ralph!
Publications:#
Acetylcholine prioritises direct synaptic inputs from entorhinal cortex to CA1 by differential modulation of feedforward inhibitory circuits
Jon Palacios-Filardo, Matt Udakis, Giles A Brown, Benjamin G Tehan, Miles S Congreve, Pradeep J Nathan, Alastair JH Brown, Jack R Mellor
Nature communications 2021 (article)
Interneuron-specific plasticity at parvalbumin and somatostatin inhibitory synapses onto CA1 pyramidal neurons shapes hippocampal output
Matt Udakis, Victor Pedrosa, Sophie EL Chamberlain, Claudia Clopath, Jack R Mellor
Nature communications, 2020 (article)
Integration of inhibitory and excitatory effects of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation in the prelimbic cortex regulates network activity and plasticity
Matt Udakis, Victoria Louise Wright, Susan Wonnacott, Christopher Philip Bailey
Neuropharmacology, 2016 (article)