60 Years of Hodgkin and Huxley

Trinity College, Cambridge, UK, July 12 - 13, 2012

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the publication of the Hodgkin-Huxley model of the action potential.

Principal organizers:
  James M. Bower (University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio)
  Idan Segev (Hebrew University)
  Michael Häusser (University College London)
  Simon O'Connor (Local Organizer)

This congress is being organized to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the original publication of the Hodgkin and Huxley model of the generation of the action potential by the squid giant axon. This publication and the mathematical model it describes is at the core of our modern understanding of how the action potential is generated, and has had profound effects on many fields of biological science and in particular on computational studies of neuronal function. The congress will be held at Trinity College, Cambridge which is the home academic institution for the original research.

Agenda topics:
The agenda for the meeting will be organized around several specific topics including but not necessarily limited to the following:

  • Historical Overview and Context
  • Experimental Evidence Today
    • The Action Potential Today and Energetics 
    • Molecular Dynamics of Ion Channels
    • Variations in K and Na Channels
    • Ion Channel Classifications
  • Evolutionary Considerations 
    • The Squid Axon in Context
    • Ion Channel Evolution
  • Computational Applications of the Hodgkin Huxley Model
    • Synaptic Transmission 
    • Dendrites
    • Non-Neural Tissues
    • Implementations in Modern Simulators 
  • Variations in the HH formulation
    • HH dynamics
    • Parameter Fitting
    • Adaptations to Other Ion Channels
    • Reduced Forms
    • Implications for Multi-scale Modeling
    • The Limitations of HH

More info and speakers

The meeting organizers are now soliciting proposals for 30 minute contributed oral presentations on topics related to the Hodgkin / Huxley model and its impact.  The deadline for submitting proposals is Feb. 15, 2012.  Those accepted to present talks will have registration and housing fees waved.  Proposals for talks should be sent to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , in the form of a title, a single paragraph description of the talk (500 words), and recent relevant papers by the author.  

The meeting runs from 9 am to 6:30 pm. There will be an open poster session on July 12th for any participants who would like to present their work, starting at 6:30 pm and followed by the conference banquet. There are travel funds available for students making poster presentations. 

If you would like to be notified of further details including registration details please send your email address to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for inclusion on the mailing list.

Housing as well as meals will be provided at Trinity College and therefore the overall size of the meeting is limited. Meeting registration is therefore on a first come first served basis and will become available soon through this site. You can find information on how to reach Trinity College here.

Support

Supported by OCNS, The Gatsby Charitable Foundation and The Physiological Society

Additional travel grants will be available to OCNS members.