Abstract
The organization of neural circuits that form the locomotor central pattern generator (CPG) and provide flexor-extensor and left-right coordination of neuronal activity remains largely unknown. However, significant progress has been made in the molecular/genetic identification of several types of spinal interneurons, including V0 (V0D and V0V sub-types), V1, V2a, V2b, V3, and Shox2, among others. The possible functional roles of these interneurons can be suggested from changes in the locomotor pattern and gaits generated in mutant mice lacking particular neuron types. Computational modeling of spinal circuits may complement these studies by bringing together data from different experimental studies and proposing the possible connectivity of these interneurons that may define rhythm generation, flexor-extensor interactions on each side of the cord, commissural interactions between left and right circuits, and interactions between CPGs controlling fore and hind limbs I will focus on the analysis of potential architectures of spinal circuits that can reproduce recent results and suggest common explanations for a series of experimental data on genetically identified spinal interneurons, including the consequences of their genetic ablation, which can provide important insights into the organization of the spinal CPG and neural control of locomotion.

Biosketch
Dr. Rybak began his career in 1977 at AB Kogan Research Institute of Neurocybernetics at Rostov State University, Russia. In 1991, he moved to the U.S., and from 1993 to 1999 he worked for DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware. In 1993 and 1994, he also served as a Visiting Professor at Le Havre University in France. In 1999, Dr. Rybak joined Drexel's School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems as a Research Professor. In 2006, he moved to Drexel University College of Medicine, where he serves as Professor at the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy.