People_
Professor Pulin Gong
Associate professor, School of Physics
Address
F09 - Madsen Building
The University of Sydney
Dr Pulin Gong is interested in better understanding the self-organizing mechanisms of spatiotemporal dynamics of neural circuits and the principles underlying how these dynamics implement neural computation.
Distributed dynamic computation: We have proposed that propagating neural waves and their interactions enable neural systems to carry out distributed dynamic computation (DDC). We work on using DDC to understand specific perceptual and cognitive functions such as visual feature integration, associative learning and memory.
Complex neuronal dynamics: Cortical neurons in vivo fire very irregularly. Understanding the origin of such irregularity is of fundamental importance to unravel neural coding principles. We work on developing a unified theoretical account of irregular neural dynamics, including the variability of spike timing, non-Gaussian fluctuations of membrane potential.
Dynamic spatiotemporal patterns: Recently, we have successfully developed a method that is effective in detecting and characterizing coherent spatiotemporal patterns from large-scale data such as MEA recorded spikes and local field potentials. Based on this method, we have found a richer than expected repertoire of coherent structures; beside the plane waves that have been a subject of recent interests, we have found standing waves that are complemented by waves that radiate out or converge to phase singularities, or spiral around them (spiral waves). We investigate the functional nature of these patterns by combining experimental and modeling studies.
| Project title | Research student |
|---|---|
| Dynamical and computational principles of cortico-cortical loops and their applications in AI | Andrew LY |
Publications
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Book Chapters
- Nikolaev, A., Gepshtein, S., Gong, P., Ito, J., van Leeuwen, C. (2009). Quasi-stable phase synchrony in ongoing and evoked EEG activity. In T. Kobayashi, I. Ozaki, K. Nagata (Eds.), Brain Topography and Multimodal Imaging, (pp. 63-66). Kyoto, Japan: Kyoto University Press.
Journals
- Liang, Y., Liang, J., Song, C., Liu, M., Knöpfel, T., Gong, P., Zhou, C. (2023). Complexity of cortical wave patterns of the wake mouse cortex. Nature Communications, 14(1). [More Information]
- Xu, Y., Long, X., Feng, J., Gong, P. (2023). Interacting spiral wave patterns underlie complex brain dynamics and are related to cognitive processing. Nature Human Behaviour, 7(7), 1196-1215. [More Information]
- Ma, H., Qi, Y., Gong, P., Zhang, J., Lu, W., Feng, J. (2023). Self-Organization of Nonlinearly Coupled Neural Fluctuations Into Synergistic Population Codes. Neural Computation, 35(11), 1820-1849. [More Information]
show 37 more
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2023
- Liang, Y., Liang, J., Song, C., Liu, M., Knöpfel, T., Gong, P., Zhou, C. (2023). Complexity of cortical wave patterns of the wake mouse cortex. Nature Communications, 14(1). [More Information]
- Xu, Y., Long, X., Feng, J., Gong, P. (2023). Interacting spiral wave patterns underlie complex brain dynamics and are related to cognitive processing. Nature Human Behaviour, 7(7), 1196-1215. [More Information]
- Ma, H., Qi, Y., Gong, P., Zhang, J., Lu, W., Feng, J. (2023). Self-Organization of Nonlinearly Coupled Neural Fluctuations Into Synergistic Population Codes. Neural Computation, 35(11), 1820-1849. [More Information]
2022
- Chen, G., Gong, P. (2022). A spatiotemporal mechanism of visual attention: Superdiffusive motion and theta oscillations of neural population activity patterns. Science Advances, 8(16), abl4995. [More Information]
- Chen, G., Qu, C., Gong, P. (2022). Anomalous diffusion dynamics of learning in deep neural networks. Neural Networks, 149, 18-28. [More Information]
- Gong, P., Wardak, A. (2022). Extended Anderson Criticality in Heavy-Tailed Neural Networks. Physical Review Letters, 129(4), 041803. [More Information]
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2021
- Liang, Y., Song, C., Liu, M., Gong, P., Zhou, C., Knöpfel, T. (2021). Cortex-wide dynamics of intrinsic electrical activities: Propagating waves and their interactions. Journal of Neuroscience, 41(16), 3665-3678. [More Information]
- Wardak, A., Gong, P. (2021). Fractional diffusion theory of balanced heterogeneous neural networks. Physical Review Research, 3(1), 13083. [More Information]
- Liu, Y., Long, X., Martin, P., Solomon, S., Gong, P. (2021). Lévy walk dynamics explain gamma burst patterns in primate cerebral cortex. Communications Biology, 4(1), 739. [More Information]
2020
- Munn, B., Zeater, N., Pietersen, A., Solomon, S., Cheong, S., Martin, P., Gong, P. (2020). Fractal spike dynamics and neuronal coupling in the primate visual system. Journal of Physiology, 598(8), 1551-1571. [More Information]
- Munn, B., Zeater, N., Pietersen, A., Solomon, S., Cheong, S., Martin, P., Gong, P. (2020). Fractal spike dynamics and neuronal coupling in the primate visual system. Journal of Physiology, 598(8), 1425-1426. [More Information]
2019
- Naoumenko, D., Gong, P. (2019). Complex Dynamics of Propagating Waves in a Two-Dimensional Neural Field. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 13, 1-16. [More Information]
- Chen, G., Gong, P. (2019). Computing by modulating spontaneous cortical activity patterns as a mechanism of active visual processing. Nature Communications, 10(1), 1-15. [More Information]
- Gu, Y., Qi, Y., Gong, P. (2019). Rich-club connectivity, diverse population coupling, and dynamical activity patterns emerging from local cortical circuits. PLoS Computational Biology, 15(4), 1-34. [More Information]
2018
- Munn, B., Gong, P. (2018). Critical Dynamics of Natural Time-Varying Images. Physical Review Letters, 121(5), 058101-1-058101-5. [More Information]
- Townsend, R., Gong, P. (2018). Detection and analysis of spatiotemporal patterns in brain activity. PLoS Computational Biology, 14(12), 1-29. [More Information]
- Keane, A., Henderson, J., Gong, P. (2018). Dynamical patterns underlying response properties of cortical circuits. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 15(140). [More Information]
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2017
- Palmer, J., Keane, A., Gong, P. (2017). Learning and executing goal-directed choices by internally generated sequences in spiking neural circuits. PLoS Computational Biology, 13(7), 1-23. [More Information]
- Pietersen, S., Cheong, S., Munn, B., Gong, P., Martin, P., Solomon, S. (2017). Relationship between cortical state and spiking activity in the lateral geniculate nucleus of marmosets. Journal of Physiology, 595(13), 4475-4492. [More Information]
- Townsend, R., Solomon, S., Martin, P., Solomon, S., Gong, P. (2017). Visual motion discrimination by propagating patterns in primate cerebral cortex. Journal of Neuroscience, 37(42), 10074-10084. [More Information]
2016
- Gu, Y., Gong, P. (2016). The dynamics of memory retrieval in hierarchical networks. Journal of Computational Neuroscience, 40(3), 247-268. [More Information]
2015
- Qi, Y., Gong, P. (2015). Dynamic patterns in a two-dimensional neural field with refractoriness. Physical Review E, 92(2), 022702-1-022702-13. [More Information]
- Townsend, R., Solomon, S., Chen, S., Pietersen, S., Martin, P., Solomon, S., Gong, P. (2015). Emergence of Complex Wave Patterns in Primate Cerebral Cortex. Journal of Neuroscience, 35(11), 4657-4662. [More Information]
- Keane, A., Gong, P. (2015). Propagating waves can explain irregular neural dynamics. Journal of Neuroscience, 35(4), 1591-1605. [More Information]
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2014
- Palmer, J., Gong, P. (2014). Associative learning of classical conditioning as an emergent property of spatially extended spiking neural circuits with synaptic plasticity. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 8(Jul), 1-10. [More Information]
2013
- Qi, Y., Palmer, J., Gong, P. (2013). Discrete breathers in integrate-and-fire oscillator networks. EPL, 102(3), 1-6. [More Information]
- Gong, P., Steel, H., Robinson, P., Qi, Y. (2013). Dynamic patterns and their interactions in networks of excitable elements. Physical Review E, 88(4), 1-10. [More Information]
- Palmer, J., Gong, P. (2013). Formation and Regulation of Dynamic Patterns in Two-Dimensional Spiking Neural Circuits with Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity. Neural Computation, 25(11), 2833-2857. [More Information]
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2012
- Heitmann, S., Gong, P., Breakspear, M. (2012). A computational role for bistability and traveling waves in motor cortex. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 6, 1-15. [More Information]
- Gong, P., Robinson, P. (2012). Dynamic pattern formation and collisions in networks of excitable elements. Physical Review E, 85(5), 1-5. [More Information]
- van den Berg, D., Gong, P., Breakspear, M., van Leeuwen, C. (2012). Fragmentation: loss of global coherence or breakdown of modularity in functional brain architecture? Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 6, 1-8. [More Information]
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2009
- Gong, P., van Leeuwen, C. (2009). Distributed Dynamical Computation in Neural Circuits with Propagating Coherent Activity Patterns. PLoS Computational Biology, 5(12), 1-11. [More Information]
- Nikolaev, A., Gepshtein, S., Gong, P., van Leeuwen, C. (2009). Duration of Coherence Intervals in Electrical Brain Activity in Perceptual Organization. Cerebral Cortex, 20(2), 365-382. [More Information]
- Nikolaev, A., Gepshtein, S., Gong, P., Ito, J., van Leeuwen, C. (2009). Quasi-stable phase synchrony in ongoing and evoked EEG activity. In T. Kobayashi, I. Ozaki, K. Nagata (Eds.), Brain Topography and Multimodal Imaging, (pp. 63-66). Kyoto, Japan: Kyoto University Press.
Selected Grants
2015
- Propagating Neural Waves: Combined Experimental and Modelling Study, Gong P, Martin P, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP)
- Neural spike variability: unifying conflicting views of neural dynamics, Gong P, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP)
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Yang Qi and Pulin Gong. Fractional neural sampling as a theory of spatiotemporal probabilistic computations in neural circuits. Nature Communications, 13:4572, 2022.
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Asem Wardak and Pulun Gong. Extended Anderson criticality in heavy-tailed neural networks. Physical Review Letters, 129: 048103, 2022.
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Guozhang Chen, Cheng Kevin Qu, and Pulin Gong. Anomalous diffusion dynamics of learning in deep neural networks. Neural Networks, 149:18, 2022.
-
Guozhang Chen and Pulin Gong. A spatiotemporal mechanism of visual attention: Superdiffusive motion and theta oscillations of neural activity patterns. Science Advances, 8: eabl4995, 2022.
-
Yuxi Liu, Xian Long, Paul Martin, Samuel Solomon and Pulin Gong. Levy walk dynamics explain gamma bursts patterns in priamte cerebral cortex. Communications Biology, 4:739, 2021.
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Yuqi Liang, Chenchen Song, Mianxin Liu, Pulin Gong, Changsong Zhou, and Thomas Knopfel. Cortex-wide dynamics of intrisic electrical activitites: propagating waves and their interactions. Journal of Neuroscience, 41: 3665, 2021.
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Asem Wardk and Pulin Gong. Fractional diffusion theory of balanced heterogenous neural networks. Physical Review Research, 3:013083, 2021.
-
Brandon Munn, Alexander Pietersen, Samuel Solomon, Soon Cheong, Paul Martin and Pulin Gong. Fractal spike dynamics and neuronal coupling in the primate visual system. The Journal of Physiology, 598.8, 2020.
- Guozhang Chen and Pulin Gong. Computing by modulating spontaneous activity patterns: a mechanism of active visual processing. Nature Communications, 10: 4915, 2019.
- Yifan Gu, Yang Qi and Pulin Gong. Rich-club connectivity, diverse population coupling, and dynamical activity patterns emerging from local cortical circuits. PLOS Computational Biology. 15(4): e1006902, 2019.
- Rory Townsend and Pulin Gong.Detection and analysis of spatiotemporal patterns in brain activity. PLOS Computational Biology,14(12): e1006643, 2018.
- James Henderson and Pulin Gong.Functional mechanisms underlie the emergence of a diverse range of plasticity phenomena. PLOS Computational Biology, 14(11): e1006590, 2018.
- Bandon Munn and Pulin Gong. Critical dynamics of natural time-varying images. Physical Review Letters. 121: 058101, 2018.
- Adam Keane, James Henderson and Pulin Gong. Dynamical patterns underlying response properties of cortical circuits. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. 15: 20170960, 2018.
- Rory Townsend, Selina S. Solomon,Paul R. Martin,Samuel G. Solomon,and Pulin Gong.Visual motion discrimination by propagating patterns in primate cerebral cortex.Journal of Neuroscience14 September 2017,1538-17;DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1538-17.2017.
- John Palmer and Pulin Gong. Learning and executing goal-directed choices by internally generated sequences in spiking neural circuits . PLoS Computational Biology, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005669, 2017
- AN.J. Pietersen, S.K. Cheong, B. Munn, P. Gong, P. R. Martin, S. G. Solomon, Relationship between cortical state and spiking activity in the lateral geniculate nucleus of marmosets, The Journal of Physiology, 10.1113/JP273569, 2017.
- Yifan Gu and Pulin Gong, The dynamics of memory retrival.J Comput Neurosci. 40: 247-68 (2016).
- Yang Qi and Pulin Gong, Dynamic patterns in a two-dimensional neural field. Physical Review E 92, 022702(2015).
- R. Townsend, S. Solomon, S. Chen, A. Pietersen, P. Martin, S. Solomon, and Pulin Gong. Emergence of complex wave patterns in primate cerebral cortex. Journal of Neuroscience, 35: 4657-4662 (2015).
- Adam Keane and Pulin Gong, Propagating waves can explain irregular neural dynamics, Journal of Neuroscience, 35: 1591-1605 (2015).
- Yang Qi, Michael Breakspear, Pulin Gong, Subdiffusive dynamics of bump attractors: Mechanisms and Functional Roles. Neural Computation, 27: 255-280 (2015).
- John Palmer and Pulin Gong, Associative learning of classical conditioning as an emergent property of spatially extended spiking neural circuits with synaptic plasticity. Front. Comput. Neurosci., 25 July 2014 | doi: 10.3389/fncom.2014.00079 .
- P. Gong, Steel, H., Robinson, P., Q, Yang, Dynamic patterns and their interactions in networks of excitable elements. Physical Review E, 88(4), 1-10, 2013.
- J. Palmer and P. Gong. Formation and Regulation of Dynamic Patterns in Two- imensional Spiking Neural Circuits with Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity. Neural Computation, 25(11), 2833-2857, 2013.
- P. Gong, S.T.C. Loi, P.A. Robinson and C.Y.J. Yang, Spatiotemporal pattern formation in two-dimensional neural circuits: role of refractoriness and noise. Biological Cybernetics, 107:1-13, 2013.
- Y. Qi, J. Palmer, P. Gong. Discrete breathers in integrate-and-fire oscillator networks. Europhysics Letters, 102(3), 1-6, 2013.
- P. Gong and P.A. Robinson, Dynamic pattern formation and collisions in networks of excitable elements. Physical Review E (Rapid Communications), 85, 055101(R), 2012.
- H. Stewart, P. Gong, and M. Breakspear, A computational role for bistability and traveling waves in motor cortex. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, 6, 67 (2012) DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2012.00067.
- T.M. Patten, C.J. Rennie, P.A. Robinson and P. Gong, Human cortical traveling waves: Dynamical properties and correlations with responses. PLoS One, 7: e38392, 2012.
- D. van den Berg, P. Gong, M. Breakspear, and C. Van Leeuwen, Fragmentation: Loss of global coherence or breakdown of modularity in functional brain architecture? Frontiers in systems neuroscience, 6: 20 (2012).
- A. R. Nikolaev, S. Gepshtein, P. Gong and C. van Leeuwen, Duration of coherence intervals in electrical activity in perceptual organization. Cerebral Cortex. 20, 365-382, 2010.
- P. Gong, C. van Leeuwen, Distributed dynamical computation in neural circuits with propagating coherence activity patterns. PLoS Computational Biology, 5(12): e1000611, 2009.
- P. Gong and C. van Leeuwen, Dynamically maintained spike timing sequences in networks of pulse-coupled oscillators with delays. Physical Review letters, 98, art. no.048104, 2008.
- P. Gong, A.R. Nikolaev, and C. van Leeuwen, Intermittent dynamics of collective phase synchronization in the brain electrical activity, Physical Review E, 76, art. no.011904, 2007.
