Dr. Byrne’s research focuses on the neuronal and molecular mechanisms underlying learning and memory using the marine mollusk, Aplysia californica, as a model system. His lab uses a variety of molecular, biochemical, biophysical, electrophysiological, and imaging techniques to analyze the properties of the neural circuits and individual neurons. These empirical analyses are complemented with mathematical modeling to determine the extent to which the observed processes and their interactions explain the behavior of the system. His project aims to achieve a quantitative understanding of the biochemical dynamics that lead to induction of long-term memory and to use this knowledge to develop learning protocols and pharmacologic interventions for enhancing memory.