Andrew A. Sharp Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Brandeis University, 1994
Neuroscience, Biophysics.
Office: Life Sciences III, Room 2075
Phone: (618) 453-1645
e-mail: asharp@siumed.eduResearch objectives
Sensory experience is a necessary component of normal development that ultimately gives rise to the structure of the adult nervous system. My laboratory studies the developing chick in order to gain understanding of the integration of sensory-motor systems. Our research is guided by two basic questions. 1) How does sensory information modulate motor behavior during development? 2) What role does sensory information play in forming proper neural circuitry at the core of motor behavior? We utilize various anatomical, electrophysiological, pharmacological and behavioral approaches to address these questions.
Additionally, we are interested in facilitating the development of technologies to interface with the nervous system for both research and future therapeutic devices. Currently, my laboratory collaborates with several engineering and biology laboratories in order to improve the biocompatibility of chronic neuronal electrode systems.
Andrew A. Sharp