The Gruber Foundation proudly presents the 2016 Neuroscience Prize to Mu-Ming Poo for his pioneering and inspiring work on synaptic plasticity.
Mu-Ming Poo has used both in vitro and in vivo neuronal systems to discover the fundamental and quantitative determinants that influence neuronal growth and synaptic strength. He defined the temporal parameters, for example, that strengthen and weaken synapses during spike timing-dependent plasticity. He also demonstrated how the concentration of intracellular signals determines the growth choices that neurons make.
Through his many ingenious experiments he has addressed and elucidated the fundamental logic and rules governing synaptic plasticity and has consistently evoked the admiration of his colleagues with his creative approach to Neuroscience.