Role of spinal circuits in Motor control

Career overview

Dr Samit Chakrabarty is a systems neurophysiologist with a focus on the plasticity and interaction between spinal circuits and their modulators, including sensory inputs from the periphery and descending inputs from the brain. He obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge and has held several prestigious positions, including postdoctoral roles at Columbia University in New York City and the Spinal Cord Research Centre in Winnipeg, Canada. He has also served as a Visiting Associate Professor at the Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, and as a Research Associate Professor at Columbia University. Dr Chakrabarty''s research investigates the modulation of spinal motor output by inputs from the brain and periphery, aiming to understand how these interactions affect motor control during various tasks. His work encompasses both human and animal models, particularly in relation to developmental disorders and ageing. Dr Chakrabarty is involved in translational research aimed at developing new diagnostic tools for neurological conditions and improving rehabilitation technologies. He is also an Innovation Champion as part of the university''s partnership with Translate, providing expertise in technology progression and innovation skills.

Research interests

Dr Chakrabarty''s research focuses on sensory motor neurophysiology, medical technology, closed loop stimulation systems, and rehabilitation. They study the plasticity and interaction between spinal circuits and their modulators, specifically the sensory inputs from the periphery and descending inputs from the brain. Their group investigates the modulation of spinal motor output by these inputs, examining how changes in neuron counts and phenotypes in the spinal cord affect motor output during development, disease states, and ageing. Current projects include reflex reorganisation during development, post-injury, and ageing; spinal cord injury and restoration of voluntary control; development of smarter neuroprosthetics; development of more efficient multichannel recording and stimulating devices; and systematic analysis of the neuronal architecture of the spinal cord and brain related to motor control, with applications towards the development of neuroprosthetics. Dr Chakrabarty employs various techniques such as in-vivo electrophysiology (both intracellular and extracellular recordings), human neurophysiology and rehabilitation (focusing on mobility disorders and surface electromyography), and the development of medical devices for improved recording and stimulation. They also utilise tools to enhance drug delivery and signal modulation for implantable and wearable devices, alongside mathematical modelling and immunohistochemistry. Their translational research aims to develop new diagnostic tools for neurologists and to understand neurological dysfunctions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy. They are also working on mathematical models of biological systems, using data from biological experiments to create stochastic models that examine interactions between neuronal populations and their effects on motor outputs. Collaborations with various researchers enhance their work, focusing on global challenges in disability databases, spinal cord injury models, mathematical modelling of the mammalian motor system, and the development of new recording and stimulation systems. Their research is supported by several organisations, including the GCRF, EPSRC, BBSRC, and the International Foundation for Research in Paraplegia.