Edward Ruthazer, PhD

Edward Ruthazer is the recipient of a Tier II Canada Research Chair, a FRQS chaire de recherche, and a James McGill Professorship. He is also the Director of the Integrated Program in Neuroscience graduate program at McGill University with about 600 full-time students.

The Ruthazer lab uses in vivo multiphoton microscopy and electrophysiology to study the development of topographic maps in the visual systems of zebrafish and Xenopus tadpoles, powerful animal models for live imaging. In particular, Dr. Ruthazer is interested in the influence of neural activity and early experience on the morphology and connectivity of the individual neurons that make up these neural maps.  He also studies how glial cells and gliotransmitters interact with neurons in the developing nervous system to modulate the structural and functional plasticity of circuits. In addition to studying these key events and molecular players in CNS development, the lab is interested in developing novel imaging and electrophysiology techniques for the study of neuronal connectivity and intracellular signalling.