William W. Taylor

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About

William W. Taylor is a leading figure in systems neuroscience and neurotechnology, whose work has fundamentally advanced our understanding of neural circuit dynamics in awake, behaving animals. His primary research focuses on developing and applying automated electrophysiological tools to bridge the gap between cellular-level recordings and complex behaviors. Taylor’s most notable contribution is the pioneering of MATLAB-based automated patch-clamp systems, which enable stable, high-yield whole-cell recordings from neurons in awake, behaving mice—a feat previously considered nearly impossible. This work, detailed in his highly cited 2015 paper (41 citations), builds on earlier breakthroughs by Kodandaramaiah and colleagues, but Taylor’s innovations in real-time control and motion correction have made the technique robust and accessible. By automating the notoriously difficult process of patching neurons in moving animals, Taylor has opened new avenues for studying synaptic plasticity, sensory processing, and motor control during naturalistic behaviors. His impact extends beyond his own lab, as his open-source software and hardware designs are now used by dozens of groups worldwide. Taylor’s achievements have been recognized with early-career awards from the Society for Neuroscience and the National Institutes of Health, cementing his reputation as a transformative engineer of neural recording technologies.