Nicolai Winter-Hjelm
About
I am part of the Integrative Neuroscience group, where I am pursuing a PhD in medicine under the supervision of Professor Ioanna Sandvig. As part of my PhD, I am also closely collaborating with Professor Pawel Sikorski (co-supervisor) at department of physics and Professor Axel Sandvig (mentor) at department of neuromedicine and movement science. Additionally, I have a 25% duty worker position at NTNU NanoLab where I help out with technical assistance and training for users.
Please see our group page for more information.
Positions
Represetative for temporary employees in The Board of NTNU.
Academic Background
2020 - t.d. : Doctoral Candidate in Medicine (Ph.D.), NTNU
2019: Biological Studies, Exchange, NTU Singapore
2015 - 2020: Master in Nanotechnology (MSc), NTNU
Competencies
Research
My PhD project is titled “Engineered neural networks as computational substrates”. In this project, I hope to shed some more light on the following questions:
- How does the topology (i.e. organization) of neuronal networks impact their functional output and computational capacity?
- How do micro- and mesoscale reconfigurations, in response to trauma or disease, impact a neural network´s functional output?
To address these questions, I work on developing next generation microfluidic devices interfaced with microelectrode arrays for neuroscience applications, utilizing the infrastructure and expertise of NTNU NanoLab. I furthermore use these platforms to study the internal computational dynamics of engineered neural networks in healthy and perturbed conditions. For example, I am currently developing better model systems for studying the neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer and ALS in collaboration with skilled colleagues. Our hope is that such model systems will enable us to get a better understanding of how such diseases emerge and spread in the nervous system, and just as importantly: How we can detect them and stop them before it is too late.
This work is a highly interdisciplinary effort at the intersection of neuroscience, nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, computational and mathematical sciences. My hope is that this work will contribute to progress beyond state-of-the-art on disease/patient-specific modelling applicable to neurodegenerative, neurodevelopmental, and traumatic nervous system conditions, while also enabeling testing/screening of relevant therapeutic interventions.
Publications
2023
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Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Niethammer, Salome Nora;
Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir;
Witter, Menno Peter;
Sandvig, Axel.
(2023)
Reverse Engineering of Feedforward Cortical-Hippocampal Neural Networks Relevant for Preclinical Disease Modelling.
bioRxiv
Academic article
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Weir, Janelle Shari;
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2023)
Altered structural organization and functional connectivity in feedforward neural networks after induced perturbation.
bioRxiv
Academic article
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Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Brune Tomren, Åste;
Sikorski, Pawel Tadeusz;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2023)
Structure-function dynamics of engineered, modular neuronal networks with controllable afferent-efferent connectivity.
Journal of Neural Engineering
Academic article
2022
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Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Tomren, Åste Brune;
Sikorski, Pawel Tadeusz;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2022)
Structure-Function Dynamics of Engineered, Modular Neuronal Networks with Controllable Afferent-Efferent Connectivity.
bioRxiv
Academic article
Journal publications
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Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad;
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Niethammer, Salome Nora;
Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir;
Witter, Menno Peter;
Sandvig, Axel.
(2023)
Reverse Engineering of Feedforward Cortical-Hippocampal Neural Networks Relevant for Preclinical Disease Modelling.
bioRxiv
Academic article
-
Weir, Janelle Shari;
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2023)
Altered structural organization and functional connectivity in feedforward neural networks after induced perturbation.
bioRxiv
Academic article
-
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Brune Tomren, Åste;
Sikorski, Pawel Tadeusz;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2023)
Structure-function dynamics of engineered, modular neuronal networks with controllable afferent-efferent connectivity.
Journal of Neural Engineering
Academic article
-
Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai;
Tomren, Åste Brune;
Sikorski, Pawel Tadeusz;
Sandvig, Axel;
Sandvig, Ioanna.
(2022)
Structure-Function Dynamics of Engineered, Modular Neuronal Networks with Controllable Afferent-Efferent Connectivity.
bioRxiv
Academic article
Teaching
Courses
Supervision
Current and previous master students:
2020 - 2021
- Nienke Laura de Jong - "An In Vitro Microfluidic Neural Network model for Unidirectional Axonal Growth"
- Edevard Hvide - "Effects of Nanostructured SU-8 Surfaces on Neurons and Neural Networks in Vitro"
- Leik Isdal - "Developing 2.5D Nanotopographical in vitro Neural Network Recording Platform to Mimic the Physical Environment of the Brain"
- Aleksandar Kavazov - "Fabrication of platinum mushroom-shaped microelectrode array for in vitro studies of neural networks and neural network pathologies"
2021 - 2022
- Åste Brune Tomren - "Using Microfluidics and 3D Surfaces to Increase the Physiological Translatability of In Vitro Neuronal Networks"
- Amund Stensrud Normann - "Fabrication of 3D Surfaces for Enhanced Physiological Translatability of In Vitro Neuronal Network Models using Inclined Lithography"
- Truels lone - "Controlling Structure-Function Dynamics of Neuronal Networks using Microfluidics"
2022 - 2023
- Polina Malahov - "Using Advanced Microfluidic Models to Study Structure-Function Dynamics in Healthy and Perturbed Neural Networks In Vitro"
- Kasper Klaussen - "3D Surfaces for Enhanced Physiological Translatability of In Vitro Neuronal Network Models"
Media
2023
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Academic lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2023) Advanced Engineering Approaches for Recapitulating Structure-Function Dynamics of Neuronal Networks In Vitro . YROCK & NeuroSYS NeuroSYS 2023 2023-04-06 - 2023-04-06
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PosterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Hanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Tomren, Åste Brune; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2023) Engineered Multi-Nodal Neuronal Networks with Predefined Afferent-Efferent Connectivity for Advanced Modelling of Network Function and Dysfunction. European Biophysical Societies' Association 14th EBSA Congress , Stockholm 2023-07-31 - 2023-08-04
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Academic lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Klausen, Kasper Grøndahl; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna; Sikorski, Pawel. (2023) Novel 3D Interfaces for Enhancing the Electrophysiological Complexity of Engineered Neuronal Networks . NRSN Norwegian Research School for Neuroscience 10th NRSN Conference 2023-09-27 - 2023-09-29
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Academic lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Klausen, Kasper Grøndahl; Normann, Amund Stensrud; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna; Sikorski, Pawel. (2023) Novel 3D Interfaces with Embedded Nanoporous Microelectrodes for Preclinical Neuroscience Research. TNNN TNNN Conference 2023 2023-06-21 - 2023-06-23
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PosterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Niethammer, Salome Nora; Witter, Menno Peter; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2023) An in vitro platform to study entorhinal-hippocampal neuronal networks. AD/PD kenes 17th International Conference on Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Diseases (AD/PD) , Gothenburg, Sweden 2023-03-28 - 2023-04-01
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Academic lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Niethammer, Salome Nora; Witter, Menno Peter; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2023) Reverse Engineering of Feedforward Cortical-Hippocampal Neural Networks Relevant for Preclinical Disease Modelling . Norwegian Research School in Neuroscience (NRSN) 10th Annual PhD Conference in Neuroscience , Egersund, Stavanger, Norway 2023-09-27 - 2023-09-29
2022
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Academic lectureHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sandvig, Axel; Witter, Menno; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2022) An in vitro platform to study entorhinal-hippocampal neural networks . Norwegian Research School for Neuroscience 9th NRSN Conference , Stiklestad 2022-09-28 - 2022-09-30
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LectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai. (2022) Konstruksjon av Biologiske Nevrale Designernettverk til Bruk i Forskning på Hjernen og Hjernesykdommer . Introuker MTNANO 2022 2022-08-18 - 2022-08-18
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PosterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Tomren, Åste Brune; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2022) Advanced Engineering Approaches for Recapitulation of Structure-Function Dynamics in Neural Networks . NRSN 9th NRSN Conference 2022-09-28 - 2022-09-30
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PosterHanssen, Katrine Sjaastad; Winter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sandvig, Axel; Witter, Menno; Kobro-Flatmoen, Asgeir; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2022) An in vitro platform to study adult entorhinal entorhinal-hippocampal neuronal circuits in early Alzheimer's disease. NTNU, Kyoto University JANUBET Symposiym , Kyoto 2022-09-20 - 2022-09-24
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Academic lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2022) Advanced Engineering Approaches for Recapitulation of Structure-Function Dynamics in Neuronal Networks . TNNN TNNN 2022-11-30 - 2022-12-02
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LectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai. (2022) Advancing the Frontier of Neuroscience with Engineered Neural Networks. Guest Lecture, NTNU Nanomechanical Lab 2022-05-03 - 2022-05-03
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PosterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2022) Next-Generation Microfluidics Interfaced with Microelectrode Arrays for Neuroscience Applications. Nordic NanoLab Network Nordic NanoLab User Meeting , Chalmers University of Technology 2022-05-05 - 2022-05-06
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Academic lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2022) Advancing the Frontier of Neuroscience with Engineered Neural Networks. NTNU Nano NTNU Nano Lecture 2022-03-09 - 2022-03-09
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PosterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2022) Advanced Engineering Approaches for Recapitulation of Structure-Function Dynamics in Neuronal Networks. FENS FENS Forum 2022 , Paris 2022-07-09 - 2022-07-13
2021
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PosterWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2021) Engineered Neural Networks as Computational Substrates. NRSN NRSN National Neuroscience Symposium 2021 2021-06-29 - 2021-07-01
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Academic lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2021) Controlling the Flow of Information in Neuronal Networks Through the use of Customized Microfluidics. NTNU Nano Norwegian NanoSymposium 2021 2021-10-05 - 2021-10-06
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Academic lectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai; Sikorski, Pawel; Sandvig, Axel; Sandvig, Ioanna. (2021) Engineered Neural Networks as Computational Substrates. NTNU NanoLab NTNU NanoLab Lunch Talk 2021-11-10 - 2021-11-10
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LectureWinter-Hjelm, Nicolai. (2021) Biologiske Nevrale Designernettverk . Introuker MTNANO 2021 2021-08-17 - 2021-08-17