Research Bio
Research in the Miller lab operates at the interface of molecular and cell biology, synthetic chemistry, and neuroscience. They seek to exploit expertise in synthetic chemistry, probe design, imaging, molecular biology, and electrophysiology to create and deploy molecular tools for mapping brain activity. This multi-faceted approach engages a diverse group of researchers from differing scientific backgrounds, both expanding our understanding of basic chemical and biological processes and using these discoveries to investigate the brain.
They seek to address how the brain transmits information from cell to cell and develop tools to track neuronal activity with high spatial and temporal resolution. This approach to studying neuronal communication and information flux in the brain is two-pronged. First, they will develop activity-dependent neuronal tracer dyes for following signal transduction through neural circuits and within cells. Secondly, they will investigate new synthetic and genetically encoded indicators for optically monitoring voltage changes in neurons. Throughout, these approaches will be integrated into systems ranging from primary cell culture to tissue slices to whole animals in order to not only show-case the utility of our new tools, but also to explore new dimensions of neuronal communication and information transfer.
Research Expertise and Interest
biochemistry, biophysics, Structural Biology
In the News
Evan Miller awarded 2021 Donald S. Noyce Undergraduate Teaching Prize
Teaching
Special Laboratory Study [CHEM 196]
Seminars for Graduate Students [CHEM 298]
Research for Graduate Students [CHEM 299]
Senior Honors Thesis [CHEM H193]
Research for Advanced Undergraduates [CHEM H194]
Senior Honors Thesis [CHMENG H193]
Survey of the Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [MCELLBI 102]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [MCELLBI 199]
Research Review in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Chemical Biology and Neuroscience [MCELLBI 218P]
Research [MCELLBI 292]
Supervised Independent Study [MCELLBI 99]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196A]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196B]
Neuroscience Graduate Research [NEU 292]
Neuroscience Research Review [NEU 295]
Chemical Biology [CHEM 135]
Special Laboratory Study [CHEM 196]
Seminars for Graduate Students [CHEM 298]
Research for Graduate Students [CHEM 299]
Professional Preparation: Supervised Teaching of Chemistry [CHEM 300]
Senior Honors Thesis [CHEM H193]
Research for Advanced Undergraduates [CHEM H194]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [MCELLBI 199]
Research Review in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Chemical Biology and Neuroscience [MCELLBI 218P]
Research [MCELLBI 292]
Supervised Independent Study [MCELLBI 99]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196A]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196B]
Neuroscience Graduate Research [NEU 292]
Neuroscience Research Review [NEU 295]
Special Laboratory Study [CHEM 196]
Special Laboratory Study [CHEM 196]
Research for Advanced Undergraduates [CHEM H194]
Special Laboratory Study [CHEM 196]
Seminars for Graduate Students [CHEM 298]
Research for Graduate Students [CHEM 299]
Senior Honors Thesis [CHEM H193]
Research for Advanced Undergraduates [CHEM H194]
Senior Honors Thesis [CHMENG H193]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [MCELLBI 199]
Research Review in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Chemical Biology and Neuroscience [MCELLBI 218P]
Research [MCELLBI 292]
Supervised Independent Study [MCELLBI 99]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196A]
Honors Research [MCELLBI H196B]
Neuroscience Graduate Research [NEU 292]
Neuroscience Research Review [NEU 295]