Objetivo Smell and taste are the least studied of all senses. Very little is known about chemosensory information processing beyond the level of receptor neurons. Every morning we enjoy our coffee thanks to our brains ability to combine and process multiple sensory modalities. Meanwhile, we can still review a document on our desk by adjusting the weights of numerous sensory inputs that constantly bombard our brains. Yet, the smell of our coffee may remind us that pleasant weekend breakfast through associative learning and memory. In the proposed project we will explore the function and the architecture of neural circuits that are involved in olfactory and gustatory information processing, namely habenula and brainstem. Moreover we will investigate the fundamental principles underlying multimodal sensory integration and the neural basis of behavior in these highly conserved brain areas.To achieve these goals we will take an innovative approach by combining two-photon calcium imaging, optogenetics and electrophysiology with the expanding genetic toolbox of a small vertebrate, the zebrafish. This pioneering approach will enable us to design new types of experiments that were unthinkable only a few years ago. Using this unique combination of methods, we will monitor and perturb the activity of functionally distinct elements of habenular and brainstem circuits, in vivo. The habenula and brainstem are important in mediating stress/anxiety and eating habits respectively. Therefore, understanding the neural computations in these brain regions is important for comprehending the neural mechanisms underlying psychological conditions related to anxiety and eating disorders. We anticipate that our results will go beyond chemical senses and contribute new insights to the understanding of how brain circuits work and interact with the sensory world to shape neural activity and behavioral outputs of animals. Ámbito científico natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistryalkaline earth metalsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencedata processing Programa(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Tema(s) ERC-SG-LS5 - ERC Starting Grant - Neurosciences and neural disorders Convocatoria de propuestas ERC-2013-StG Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria Régimen de financiación ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Institución de acogida NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU Aportación de la UE € 1 485 671,00 Dirección HOGSKOLERINGEN 1 7491 Trondheim Noruega Ver en el mapa Región Norge Trøndelag Trøndelag Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Investigador principal Emre Yaksi (Prof.) Contacto administrativo Fredrik Kristiansen (Mr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos Beneficiarios (2) Ordenar alfabéticamente Ordenar por aportación de la UE Ampliar todo Contraer todo NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU Noruega Aportación de la UE € 1 485 671,00 Dirección HOGSKOLERINGEN 1 7491 Trondheim Ver en el mapa Región Norge Trøndelag Trøndelag Tipo de actividad Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Investigador principal Emre Yaksi (Prof.) Contacto administrativo Fredrik Kristiansen (Mr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos VIB VZW La participación finalizó Bélgica Aportación de la UE € 13 800,00 Dirección SUZANNE TASSIERSTRAAT 1 9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT Ver en el mapa Región Vlaams Gewest Prov. Oost-Vlaanderen Arr. Gent Tipo de actividad Research Organisations Contacto administrativo Rik Audenaert (Mr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos
