Michael Beierlein

Michael Beierlein is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy at McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He earned his Diploma in Biology from the University of Tübingen, Germany, and his PhD at Brown University under Dr. Barry Connors. Postdoctoral training was completed at Columbia University with Dr. Rafael Yuste and Harvard Medical School with Dr. Wade Regehr.

• Education:
  • Diploma in Biology, University of Tübingen, Germany
  • PhD, Brown University
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University
  • Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Beierlein's research focuses on synaptic and local circuit dynamics within the thalamocortical system. His work investigates how synapses regulate strength during neuronal activity using electrophysiology, imaging, and optogenetics. Key areas include short-term synaptic plasticity, cholinergic signaling mechanisms, and computational roles of thalamic circuits in perception and cognition. His publications span neuroscience journals and clinical collaborations in oncology.

Recent articles highlight interdisciplinary work in Neuroscience (e.g., corticothalamic circuits in Neuron, 2024) and Oncology (e.g., CDK4/6 inhibition in Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 2024). Trends include thalamocortical network function, synaptic calcium dynamics, and clinical research in breast cancer therapies.