Dr. Shailesh Appukuttan

Postdoctoral Researcher @ CRMBM & INT, AMU

I am interested in the application of computational techniques to challenges in inter-disciplinary domains. I strongly believe in their immense potential for for paving the way forward towards the development of novel approaches to tackling existing issues.

About Me

I am currently a postdoctoral researcher at Aix-Marseille Université, working between the CRMBM (Centre de Résonance Magnétique Biologique et Médicale) and the INT (Institut des Neurosciences de la Timone). My research focuses on developing AI-based approaches using multimodal neuroimaging data for diagnosing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and predicting the prognosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
I did my undergraduate studies in computer science and then worked for a year in the IT industry, before rejoining academia. I completed my integrated masters + Ph.D. in biomedical engineering in 2015 from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India) and then continued as a research associate for a year in the same lab. My doctoral work involved the modeling of 3-D syncytium of smooth muscle networks to understand their functioning and control by the central and peripheral nervous systems. We collaborated with an experimental lab at the University of Birmingham on this project.
I was previously a postdoctoral researcher in the Neuroinformatics Group (led by Dr. Andrew Davison) at the Department for Integrative and Computational Neuroscience (ICN, CNRS) working on the Human Brain Project (HBP/EBRAINS). The general theme of my postdoctoral work focused on data integrity, reproducibility and interoperability for neuroscience. Working in a large collaborative multi-institute project, such as the Human Brain Project, provided me with immense opportunities to collaborate closely with several research groups, and enhance both my technical as well as soft skills. I have worked closely with several research groups, and developed validation test suites focusing on systematic assessment and benchmarking of models developed via their existing workflows.
Over the past 10+ years as a researcher, I have worked on various computational technologies, tools, languages and platforms. I have always been a fast and curious learner. Over the course of my work, I have quickly become proficient in new skills, and gone on to teach and train the same to others. I am highly motivated towards the application of computational techniques to challenges in interdisciplinary domains.

Publications

Appukuttan S., Sharma, L., Garcia-Rodriguez, P., Davison, A. P. (2022). A Software Framework for Validating Neuroscience Models. (https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03586825v1)

Garcia-Rodriguez, P., Davison, A. P., Sharma, L., & Appukuttan, S. (2022). Model descriptions in Neuroscience: computational performance and collaboration. (https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03586671v2)

Ates, O., Appukuttan, S., Fragnaud, H., Fragnaud, C., & Davison, A. P. (2024). NeoViewer: Facilitating reuse of electrophysiology data through browser-based interactive visualization. SoftwareX, 26, 101710. doi: 10.1016/j.softx.2024.101710

Appukuttan, S., Bologna, L. L., Schürmann, F., Migliore, M., & Davison, A. P. (2023). EBRAINS Live Papers - Interactive resource sheets for computational studies in neuroscience. Neuroinformatics, 21(1), 101-113. doi: 10.1007/s12021-022-09598-z

Basu, K. *, Appukuttan, S. *, Manchanda, R., & Sik, A. (2023). Difference in axon diameter and myelin thickness between excitatory and inhibitory callosally projecting axons in mice.Cerebral Cortex, 33(7), 4101-4115. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhac329 (* : joint first authors).

Davison, A. P., & Appukuttan, S., (2022). A faster way to model neuronal circuitry (using artificial neural networks). Elife, 11, e84463. doi: 10.7554/eLife.84463

Appukuttan, S., & Davison, A. P. (2022). Reproducing and quantitatively validating a biologically-constrained point-neuron model of CA1 pyramidal cells. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 16. doi: 10.3389/fnint.2022.1041423

Bologna, L. L., Smiriglia, R., Lupascu, C. A., Appukuttan, S., Davison, A., Ivaska, G., … Migliore, M. (2022). The EBRAINS Hodgkin-Huxley Neuron Builder: An Online Resource For Building Data-Driven Neuron Models. Frontiers in Neuroinformatics, 16. doi: 10.3389/fninf.2022.991609

Appukuttan, S., Brain, K. L., & Manchanda, R. (2021). Effect of Variations in Gap Junctional Coupling on the Frequency of Oscillatory Action Potentials in a Smooth Muscle Syncytium. Frontiers in Physiology, 12. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.655225

Sáray, S., Rössert, C. A., Appukuttan, S., Migliore, R., Vitale, P., Lupascu, C. A., ... & Káli, S. (2021). HippoUnit: A software tool for the automated testing and systematic comparison of detailed models of hippocampal neurons based on electrophysiological data. PLoS computational biology, 17(1), e1008114. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008114

Manchanda, R., Appukuttan, S., & Padmakumar, M. (2019). Electrophysiology of Syncytial Smooth Muscle. Journal of experimental neuroscience, 13, 1179069518821917. doi: 10.1177/1179069518821917

Appukuttan, S., Padmakumar, M., Young, J. S., Brain, K. L., & Manchanda, R. (2018). Investigation of the syncytial nature of detrusor smooth muscle as a determinant of action potential shape. Frontiers in physiology, 9, 1300. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01300

Appukuttan, S., Brain, K. L., & Manchanda, R. (2017). Modeling extracellular fields for a three-dimensional network of cells using neuron. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 290, 27-38. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.07.005

Appukuttan, S., Brain, K., & Manchanda, R. (2017). Investigation of action potential propagation in a syncytium. Biomed. Res. J, 4(1), 102-115. doi: 10.4103/2349-3666.240589

Appukuttan, S., Padmakumar, M., Brain, K. L., & Manchanda, R. (2017). A Method for the Analysis of AP Foot Convexity: Insights into Smooth Muscle Biophysics. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 5. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2017.00064

Appukuttan, S., Brain, K. L., & Manchanda, R. (2015). A computational model of urinary bladder smooth muscle syncytium. Journal of Computational Neuroscience, 38(1), 167-187.

Appukuttan, S., Brain, K. L., & Manchanda, R. (2015). A computational model of urinary bladder smooth muscle syncytium. Journal of Computational Neuroscience, 38(1), 167-187.

Appukuttan, S., Mandge, D., & Manchanda, R. (2020, March). Implementation of Syncytial Models in NEURON Simulator for Improved Efficiency. In 2020 28th Euromicro International Conference on Parallel, Distributed and Network-Based Processing (PDP) (pp. 266-273). IEEE.

Appukuttan, S., & Manchanda, R. (2016). Independence of AP propagation velocity to transjunctional voltage dependence of gap junctional coupling. The Siberian Scientific Medical Journal, 36(1), 80-85.

Appukuttan, S., Sathe, R., & Manchanda, R. (2016). Influence of Gap Junction Subtypes on Passive and Active Electrical Properties of Syncytial Tissues. Accepted at ICSMB 2016, India. IEEE Xplore Digital Library.

Appukuttan, S., Brain, K., & Manchanda, R. (2015). Syncytial basis for diversity in spike shapes and their propagation in detrusor smooth muscle. Procedia Computer Science, 51, 785-794.

Appukuttan, S., Sathe, R., & Manchanda, R. (2015). Modular approach to modeling homotypic and heterotypic gap junctions. In Computational Advances in Bio and Medical Sciences (ICCABS), 2015 IEEE 5th International Conference on (pp. 1-6). IEEE.

Appukuttan, S., Grapperon A. M., El Mendili, M. M., Aljane-Hedia, S., Dary, H., Guye, M., Verschueren, A., Attarian, S., Zaaraoui, W., Gilson, M. Diagnosis of multimodal neuroimaging data for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Poster presented at: CNS 2024; 2024 Jul 21; Natal, Brazil.

Appukuttan, S., Bologna L. L., Schürmann F., Migliore M., Davison A. P. EBRAINS Live Papers - interactive resources and supplementary materials for neuroscience. Poster presented at: FENS Forum 2022; 2022 Jul 9-13; Paris, France.

Appukuttan, S., Bologna L. L., Schürmann F., Migliore M., Davison A. P. EBRAINS Live Papers - interactive resources and supplementary materials for neuroscience. Poster presented at: NeuroPSI Talents Day 2022; 2022 Jun 27; Saclay, France.

Appukuttan, S., Bologna L. L., Schürmann F., Migliore M., Davison A. P. EBRAINS Live Papers - interactive resources and supplementary materials for neuroscience. Poster presented at: Human Brain Project Annual Summit; 2021 Oct 15; Online.

Sára S., Rössert C. A., Appukuttan, S., Davison A. P., Muller E., Freund T. F., Káli S. Systematic testing and validation of models of hippocampal neurons against electrophysiological data. Poster presented at: CNS 2020; 2020 Jul 20; Online.

Garcia-Rodriguez P, Sharma L, Appukuttan, S., Davison A.P. Scientific validation of data-driven neuroscience models despite complexity and sparse data. Poster presented at SFN: 2019 Oct 19-23, Chicago, USA.

Appukuttan, S., Garcia P.E., Sharma B.L., Davison A.P. Overview of Test Suites for Validation of Data-Driven Models in Neuroscience. Poster presented at INCF: 2019 Sep 1-2, Warsaw, Poland.

Sáray S., Rössert C.A., Appukuttan, S., Davison A.P., Muller E., Freund T.F., Káli S. Systematic automated validation of detailed models of hippocampal neurons against electrophysiological data. Poster presented at: 28th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting, CNS 2019; 2019 Jul 13-17; Barcelona, Spain.

Legouée E., Appukuttan, S., Ates O., Fragnaud H., Suzen M., Denker, M., Davison A.P. Modeling and visualization of neural activity data. Poster presented at: INCF workshop on Data Management and Sharing in Neuroinformatics; 2019 May 21; Marseille, France.

Appukuttan, S., Garcia P.E., Sharma B.L., Sáray S., Káli S, Davison A.P. Systematic Statistical Validation of Data-Driven Models in Neuroscience. Poster presented at SFN: 2018 Nov 3-7, San Diego, USA.

Bologna L.L., Lupascu C.A., Migliore R., Antonel S.M., Ivaska G., Appukuttan, S., Courcol J-D., Schürmann F., Davison A.P., Migliore M. The brain simulation platform of the human brain project v2.0: from single cell to circuit building and beyond. Poster presented at: Human Brain Project Annual Summit; 2018 Oct 16-18; Maastricht, Netherlands.

Legouée E., Appukuttan, S., Ates O., Fragnaud H., Suzen M., Denker, M., Davison A.P. Curation and reuse of neural activity data. Poster presented at: Human Brain Project Annual Summit; 2018 Oct 16-18; Maastricht, Netherlands.

Legouée E., Appukuttan, S., Ates O., Fragnaud H., Suzen M., Denker, M., Davison A.P. Curation and reuse of neural activity data. Poster presented at: GDR NeuralNet; 2018 Dec 5-7; Paris, France.

Sharma B.L., Appukuttan, S., Garcia-Rodriguez P.E., Fragnaud H., Legouée E., Davison A.P. Validating Computational Neuroscience Models. Poster presented at: Bernstein Conference. 2018 Sep 26-28; Berlin, Germany. doi: 10.12751/nncn.bc2018.0228

Appukuttan, S., Fragnaud H., Sharma L., Gonin J., Garcia P.E., Davison A.P. A web services framework for model validation in neuroscience. Poster presented at: INCF Neuroinformatics; 2018 Aug 9-10; Montréal, Canada.

Sáray S., Migliore R., Lupascu C.A., Bologna L.L., Rössert C.A., Romani A., Courcol J-D., Antonel S. , Van Geit, W., Thomson A., Mercer A., Lange S., Falck J., Appukuttan, S., Garcia-Rodriguez P.E., Davison A.P., Muller E., Schürmann F., Migliore M., Freund T.F., Káli S. Systematic construction and validation of detailed models of hippocampal neurons using reproducible, collaborative workflows. Poster presented at: 11th FENS Forum of Neuroscience; 2018 Jul 7-11; Berlin, Germany.

Sáray S., Appukuttan, S., Bagi B., Garcia-Rodriguez P.E., Kovách P., Lupascu C.A., Mohácsi M., Rössert C.A., Tar L., Török M.P., Davison A.P., Migliore M., Muller E. , Freund T.F., Káli S. Automated parameter fitting and testing of detailed neuronal models. Poster presented at: Bernstein Conference. 2017 Sep 13-15; Göttingen, Germany. doi: 10.12751/nncn.bc2017.0134

Von Papen M., Voges N., Dabrowska P., Gutzen R., Denker M., Dahmen D., Helias M., Senk J., Hagen E., Diesmann M., Sharma L., Appukutan S., Davison A.P., Grün S. Towards automation of experiment-driven building and validation of a mesocircuit model. Poster presented at: Human Brain Project Annual Summit; 2017 Oct 17-20; Glasgow, UK.

Sharma L., Appukuttan, S., Garcia P.E., Fragnaud H., Gonin J., Davison A.P. Human Brain Project Validation Framework: Workflow and Services. Poster presented at: Human Brain Project Annual Summit; 2017 Oct 17-20; Glasgow, UK.

Work Experience

CRMBM & INT, Aix Marseille Université, France December 2023 - till date
Postdoctoral Researcher (ongoing)
Developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) based approaches for the diagnosis and prognosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) using multimodal neuroimaging data.
CNRS, France January 2017 - October 2022
Postdoctoral Researcher (5 years & 10 months)
My work in the Human Brain Project (HBP/EBRAINS) involved the design and development of a model validation framework for neuroscience, as well as other tools to assist reproducible science. I have collaborated closely with several research groups, and developed validation test suites focusing on systematic assessment and benchmarking of models developed via their existing workflows.
IIT Bombay, India September 2015 - November 2016
Research Associate (1 year & 3 months)
Developed a computational model for 3D smooth muscle syncytia and employed it to investigate experimentally observed phenomena. In parallel, helped design and develop a project proposal for computational investigation of Parkinson’s Disease.
NMIMS School Of Science, India August 2016 - October 2016
Visiting Faculty (3 months)
Was invited to teach an undergraduate course on Linux and R. The course consisted of theory lectures as well as lab sessions.
<< Doctoral Research >>
TechShiksha, India 2009 - 2011
Co-founder & Technical Head (2 years; during Masters)
Started an educational initiative to help develop scientific thinking in children. Worked with schools and NGOs in organizing science workshops oriented on specific themes.
<< Masters Program >>
TechMahindra, India 2008 - 2009
Technical Associate (1 year)
Worked as a developer using Siebel CRM systems on a project for British Telecom.
<< Bachelors in Engineering (Computer Science) >>

Research Projects

Diagnosis of ALS Using Multimodal Neuroimaging Data 2023 - till date
Postdoctoral Researcher
Funding agency: Excellence Initiative of Aix-Marseille Université - AMidex, a French “Investissements d’Avenir programme” AMX-21-IET-017 (via the institutes NeuroMarseille and Laënnec), and from the Association pour la Recherche sur la Sclerose Laterale Amyotrophique et Autres Maladies du Motoneurone (ARSLA), grant ARSLA-2023-ac-05.

The project aims to develop and test prediction tools for clinical diagnosis from neuroimaging data, with pipelines covering data preprocessing and machine-learning representational techniques. The focus is on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare neurodegenerative disease for which no efficient treatment exists. A particular goal is to test the possibility of stratifying ALS patients in subtypes with slow versus fast disease progression. It is based on a dataset of 30 ALS patients and matched controls, acquired on 7T and 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, which is currently being extended. Specifically, this dataset involves advanced MRI techniques that are promising for neurodegenerative diseases: quantitative and sodium MRI modalities, in addition to usual structural and functional MRI. We thus plan to build a multimodal prediction pipeline such as to test the combination of distinct types of MRI data (graph/network fusion) for clinical prediction. It also includes an international collaboration and aims to compare ALS datasets acquired in different centers.
PRognosis using Artificial Intelligence for MUltiple Sclerosis (PRAIMUS) 2023 - till date
Postdoctoral Researcher
Funding agency:.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a long-term condition that impacts the central nervous system, resulting in a broad spectrum of symptoms and varying levels of disability. Predicting the progression of MS is challenging due to the disease's multifocal nature and the diverse ways in which patients respond. This project aims to create a deep learning model, named PRAIMUS, to predict the Sustained Accumulation of Disability (SAD) in MS patients by utilizing longitudinal MRI data.
EBRAINS Live Papers 2018 - 2022
Postdoctoral Researcher
Funding agency: European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under Specific Grant Agreements No. 785907 and No. 945539 (Human Brain Project SGA2 and SGA3)

Computational approaches to neuroscience, such as development of models and data analysis, lack an established system for distributing code, data and other related resources. The absence of such a system significantly diminishes the utility of scientific outputs such as published models and datasets within the neuroscience community, and also hinders the reproducibility of data analyses. This has also severely impeded the promotion and progress of community-based, collaborative modelling efforts. We have developed an online platform, called EBRAINS Live Papers, for sharing scientific resources in neuroscience. It aims to enable researchers to easily access the data resources employed in published studies and understand in detail the provenance of published results and figures.
Model Representation and Standards 2017 - 2022
Postdoctoral Researcher
Funding agency: European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under Specific Grant Agreements No. 720270 and No. 785907 (Human Brain Project SGA1 and SGA2)

Work with community partners and with model developers to adopt and/or develop standards for representing brain models, and for sharing them. Specifically, develop open APIs for morphology analysis, classification, conversion, and manipulation; establish open standards for performant, interoperable model representations (from the cellular-level to the point neuron levels); develop open APIs to access information on models; and work to create representations for models of synaptic plasticity. Work with others to ensure that the APIs and model representations are consistent with high performance on both traditional HPC and neuromorphic computing systems. As far as possible use and/or extend existing community standards (e.g. NeuroML, NineML, PyNN).
Validation Framework Services and Apps 2017 - 2022
Postdoctoral Researcher
Funding agency: European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under Specific Grant Agreements No. 720270, No. 785907 and No. 945539 (Human Brain Project SGA1, SGA2 and SGA3)

Develop services and apps facilitating community model-building and community validation of models, and use them to perform preliminary validations of these models. The work to be performed includes enhancements of the existing validation framework in collaboration with corresponding other HBP tasks; tools facilitating web access to validation experiments and their results; and outreach activities. In addition, work actively to build community support with a special emphasis on validation experiments coming from the community. The apps developed will make a fundamental contribution to community-driven modelling, and will encourage community-driven app development.
Computational Modeling of Bladder Smooth Muscle 2010 - 2016
Research Scholar
Funding agency: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India [BT/PR12973/MED/122/47/2016] and the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) [UKUTP20110055]

Certain smooth muscles, such as the detrusor of the urinary bladder, exhibit a variety of spikes that differ markedly in their amplitudes and time courses. The origin of this diversity is poorly understood but is often attributed to the syncytial nature of smooth muscle and its distributed innervation.
In order to help clarify such issues, we developed a three-dimensional electrical model of syncytial smooth muscle implemented using the compartmental modeling technique, with special reference to the bladder detrusor. Values of model parameters were sourced or derived from experimental data. The model was validated against various modes of stimulation employed experimentally and the results were found to accord with both theoretical predictions and experimental observations. Model outputs also satisfied criteria characteristic of electrical syncytia, such as correlation between the spatial spread and temporal decay of electrotonic potentials as well as positively skewed amplitude frequency histogram for sub-threshold potentials, and lead to interesting conclusions.
Based on analysis of syncytia of different sizes, it was found that a size of 21-cube may be considered the critical minimum size for an electrically infinite syncytium. Set against experimental results, we conjecture the existence of electrically sub-infinite bundles in the detrusor. Moreover, the absence of coincident activity between closely spaced cells potentially implies, counter-intuitively, highly efficient electrical coupling between such cells. The model thus provided a heuristic platform for the interpretation of electrical activity in syncytial tissues.
A number of enhancements and extensions to the basic model had been developed and discussed, to obtain a better understanding of syncytial tissues. These include the investigation of initiation, propagation and modulation of action potentials in a syncytium and the development of a physiologically more realistic gap junction model. Relevance to physiological function were discussed, and their implications assessed, at each stage.

Teaching Experience

Tutorial: EBRAINS Tools & Services June 2022
CNS 2022, INCF/OCNS SOFTWARE WG (online)
The INCF/OCNS Software Working Group conducted free online software tutorials as part of the CNS*2022 conference. I organized a session for showcasing various EBRAINS tools and services. See here and here for more details.
Tutorial: Python for Beginners June 2021
CNS 2021, INCF/OCNS SOFTWARE WG (online)
The INCF/OCNS Software Working Group conducted three beginner/intermediate level tutorials at the CNS*2021 Online conference. These covered the command line (Bash), using Git and GitHub, and development in the Python programming language. See here for more details.
Training: Model Validation using EBRAINS May 2021
EBRAINS/HBP, CNRS (online)
This 'EBRAINS Infrastructure Training on Model Validation' guided modellers and experimentalists in model validation (comparing simulation results to experimental data) using the EBRAINS Model Validation Framework. Participants learned how to: develop model-agnostic validation tests adapt existing models so they can be more easily validated use the EBRAINS model and test catalogue register, search, view and compare the results of validation tests The training took place over four days, with two days of presentations and hands-on demos, followed by two days of participants working on their own validation projects with the assistance of the tutors. See here for more details.
NEURON workshop for beginners May 2021
IIT Bombay (Chandrapur, India)
Conducted a 3 day workshop on computational modeling at GCOE, Chandrapur, India. The workshop presented important concepts pertaining to neuronal biophysics . Widely employed mathematical concepts and models in Computational Neurophysiology were also introduced. The workshop included hands-on sessions on open source softwares like NEURON and Scilab for mathematical modelling of neurons. modelling.
<< Teaching Assistantships >>
BB803 − Advanced Cellular Electrophysiology 2013 - 2015
IIT Bombay (Mumbai, India)
Instructor: Prof. Rohit Manchanda

Content: Current-voltage curves for voltage-gated ion channels: generation and analysis. Ca channel I-V curves: Goldman equation. Input resistance: theory, measurement, inferencing. Applications to skeletal and smooth muscle. Extensions of cable theory: predictions of cable equation; finite cables. Electrical models of neurotransmission in neurons, skeletal muscle and smooth muscle. Modelling of synaptic potentials based on impulse response. Special properties of syncytial tissues: input resistance, current-voltage relations, behaviour of synaptic potentials and spikes. Ca dynamics: components of Ca flux. Computational modelling: the compartmental modelling approach. Modelling passive structures, active properties, neurotransmission. Paper discussion.

Text/References: Methods in neuronal modeling : from ions to networks; Eds C. Koch, I. Segev. Cambridge : MIT Press 1998. Computational neuroscience : realistic modeling for experimentalists; Ed: De Schutter, E. Boca Raton : CRC Press 2001. Foundations of cellular neurophysiology; Johnston, D., Wu, S. Cambridge : MIT Press, 1995 Cellular biophysics. Weiss, T.F. Cambridge : MIT Press, 1996 The NEURON book. Carnevale, T, Hines MJ. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press 2005
BM636 − Bioelectricity 2011 - 2013
IIT Bombay (Mumbai, India)
Instructor: Prof. Rohit Manchanda

Content: Action potential of excitable cells: Quantitative description, Hodgkin-Huxley model, significance of parameters in Hodgkin-Huxley equations; Voltage-clamp experiments : design, and analysis of results; Factors determining the initiation, amplitudes, and kinetic properties of action potentials. Passive membrane electrical properties: Cellular resistance, capacitance, time constant and space constant, methods of measurement; Importance in cellular excitation and signaling: Impulse propagation. Electrophysiology of synaptic transmission: Prejunctional and postjunctional electrical events; time courses of transmitter-activated membrane currents and potentials in skeletal and smooth muscle; Electrical models of the skeletal and smooth muscle membranes.

Text/References: B. Katz : Nerve, Muscle, and Synapse, Mc-Graw Hill, New York, 1966. J.G. Nicholls, A.R. Martin & B. Wallace : From Neuron to Brain, 3rd ed., Sinauer, Sunderland, 1992. J.J.B. Jack, D. Noble & R.W. Tsien : Electric Current Flow in Excitable Cells, Oxford University Press, 1983. R.D. Barr & R.L. Plonsey : Bioelectricity: A Quantitative Approach, Academic Press, N.Y., 1988. E.R. Kandel & J. Shwartz (ed.) : Principles of Neural Science, 3rd ed., 1991.
BM651 − Biopotentials 2011 - 2013
IIT Bombay (Mumbai, India)
Instructor: Prof. Rohit Manchanda

Content: Introduction to molecular and cellular Biology; Molecules, membranes and cells; Cell structure and function: organelles, cytoskeleton and plasma membrane; Metabolism and energy cycles; Synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids; Transport across cell membranes and cytoplasm; Cell to cell biochemical signaling: hormones, receptors and synaptic transmission; Cytoskeleton and movement, Actin and Myosin; Energetics of ion pumps. Origin of biopotentials; Resting membrane potential; The resting membrane as a potassium electrode; Nernst potential; Selective permeability and the Donnan equilibrium; Action potentials: ionic basis, properties of generation and conduction, examples in different cell types, relation to surface-recorded signals; Synaptic potentials: passive properties and integration.

Text/References: B. Alberts, D. Bray, J. Levis, M. Raff, K. Roberts & J. D. Watson : Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland Publishing Inc., New York, USA. 1983. J. Darnell, H. Lodish, D. Baltimore : Molecular Cell Biology, Scientific American Books, New York, USA. 1996. D.J. Aidley: The Physiology of Excitable cells, 3rd Ed., Cambridge University Press, 1990. D. M. Prescott : Cells, Jones & Bartlett, Boston, 1988. A. Loewy, et al. : Cell Structure and Function: An Integrated Approach, 3rd Edition, Saunders, Chicago, 1991.
BM627 − Virtual Instrumentation 2010 - 2013
IIT Bombay (Mumbai, India)
Instructor: Prof. Soumyo Mukherji

Content: Introduction to bioelectric signals. Analog to Digital Conversion and Data Acquisition Cards. Hardware interfacing. Programming in C for Virtual Instrumentation. Building Graphical User interfaces for use in data acquisition. Signal sampling fundamentals for Data Acquisition. Basic signal processing techniques. Acquisition of general waveforms and biosignals. Issues in online monitoring. Web-based online monitoring.

Text/References: Biomedical Signal Analysis by RM Rangayan Microcomputer Interfacing by J.J. Carr LabWindows CVI manuals (National Instruments)

Education

Integrated Masters + Ph.D. - Biomedical Engineering 2009 - 2015
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India
Bachelor of Engineering - Computer Science 2004 - 2008
SIES Graduate School of Technology, India
Intermediate /+2 - Computer Science 2002 - 2004
Atomic Energy Junior College, India
Matriculation Until 2002
Atomic Energy Central School - 2, India
Elementary School 1994 - 1997
Danube International School, Austria

Memberships / Roles

Director, Publication Chair 2024 - 2026
Organization for Computational Neuroscience
Director, Website/Infrastructure Chair 2021 - 2023
Organization for Computational Neuroscience
Administrator 2022 onwards
Comp-Neuro mailing list
Co-chair and founding member 2020 - 2023
INCF/OCNS Software WG
Review editor 2022 onwards
Frontiers in Neuroinformatics journal
Review editor 2022 onwards
Frontiers in Systems Biology
Reviewer 2018 onwards
ReScience C journal
Member 2019 onwards
SANKET consortium for brain research
Member of Program Committee 2020 - 2021
HBP CodeJam #11 & #12
Committee member 2018 - 2020
Parallel, Distributed and Network-based Processing (PDP) conference
Member 2018 - 2019
HBP Data Governance Working Group

Resources


<< Some tutorials I had developed for the EBRAINS channel >>
  EBRAINS Live Papers - An Overview
  EBRAINS Live Papers - Platform: Step-by-step tutorial
  EBRAINS Live Papers - Builder: Step-by-step tutorial
  PyNN: Installing PyNN on a Linux system
  PyNN: Building and simulating a simple model
<< EBRAINS Live Paper Example >>
   Reproducing and quantitatively validating a biologically-constrained point-neuron model of CA1 pyramidal cells
URL: https://live-papers.brainsimulation.eu/#2022-appukuttan-davison
Appukuttan S. and Davison A.P. (2022) Reproducing and quantitatively validating a biologically-constrained point-neuron model of CA1 pyramidal cells. Front. Integr. Neurosci. 16:1041423
<< ModelDB Submissions >>
   Extracellular fields for a three-dimensional network of cells using NEURON
URL: https://senselab.med.yale.edu/modeldb/ShowModel.cshtml?model=240957
Appukuttan S., Brain K.L., and Manchanda R. (2017) Modeling extracellular fields for a three-dimensional network of cells using NEURON. J Neurosci Methods 290:27-38.
  Gap junction subtypes
URL: https://senselab.med.yale.edu/modeldb/ShowModel.cshtml?model=244692
Appukuttan S., Sathe R., and Manchanda R. (2016) Influence of gap junction subtypes on passive and active electrical properties of syncytial tissues 2016 International Conference on Systems in Medicine and Biology (ICSMB) :128-131.
<< SimToolDB Submissions >>
   mknrndll shortcut for Windows
URL: https://senselab.med.yale.edu/SimToolDB/showTool.cshtml?Tool=154752
This NEURON plug-in would provide a shortcut for compiling .mod files by adding mknrndll as an option to mouse right-click context menu. It also avoids having to specify the compile directory by implicitly accepting the folder inside which you right-clicked as the location.
   Section Copy Tool
URL: https://senselab.med.yale.edu/SimToolDB/showTool.cshtml?Tool=155716
Copies biophysical data (Distributed Mechanisms & L, nseg, Ra) from a specified section to all sections contained in the given SectionList.

Profiles

LinkedIn Profile ORCID Profile GitHub Profile Loop (Frontiers) Profile Google Scholar Profile
OCNS Profile Scopus Profile Clarivate Web of Science Profile ResearchGate Profile Academia Profile

Contact

You can contact me via email at:   appukuttan.shailesh@gmail.com
or, alternatively, using the form below: