Xinyu Zhao

Email:

zhaoxinyu@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn

Research Interests

How does the brain learn? With a combination of experimental and computational approaches in mice, we primarily focus on two questions:

1. What is the algorithm that updates connection weights between neurons during learning? (Synaptic plasticity)

2. How does a neural network transfer its previously learned knowledge to new tasks? (Mechanisms underlying meta-learning)

We believe that our interdisciplinary research will not only advance our understanding of the brain but also inspire the development of new artificial intelligence systems.

Representative Publications

Zhao X^*, Hsu CL^* and Spruston N. Rapid synaptic plasticity contributes to a learned conjunctive code of position and choice-related information in the hippocampus. Neuron. 2022. 110(1):96-108

Sun W*, Zhao X* and Spruston N. Bursting potentiates the neuro–AI connection. Nature Neuroscience. 2021. 24:905-906

Zhao X, Wang Y, Spruston N & Magee J. Membrane potential dynamics underlying context-dependent sensory responses in the hippocampus. Nature Neuroscience. 2020. 23(5):881-891

Zhao X*, Liu M* and Cang J. Visual Cortex Modulates the Magnitude but Not the Selectivity of Looming-Evoked Responses in the Superior Colliculus of Awake Mice. Neuron. 2014. 84(1):202-213

Zhao X, Chen H, Liu X and Cang J. Orientation-selective Responses in the Mouse Lateral Geniculate Nucleus. Journal of Neuroscience. 2013. 33(31):12751-63

Zhao X, Liu M and Cang J. Sublinear binocular integration preserves orientation selectivity in mouse visual cortex. Nature Communication. 2013. 4:2088.

(* equal contribution)