Objective
Somatosensory information from the physical world is accurately relayed from body surface receptors to brain cortex through topographic connectivity maps enabling to spatially locate and distinguish stimuli such as touch, temperature, proprioception (body position), and nociception (pain). This organization provides a somatosensory body-map representation in the brain exemplified by the concept of sensory homunculus. In mammals, the cortical representation of face receptors has a prominent role in fine tactile discrimination, taking-up more cortical space than other body parts. This is more striking in the cortical representation of the rodent whisker pad through the trigeminal circuit. Inputs from single whiskers cluster into discrete anatomical and functional cortical units, the barrels, which faithfully reproduce the whisker spatial arrangement on the rodent face. Whisker-related neuronal aggregates are also observed in brainstem and thalamic subcortical stations relaying the input to the cortex, maintaining a somatotopic point-to-point representation throughout the entire pathway. However, the molecular mechanisms of whisker-to-barrel topographic map formation, especially at subcortical level, remain poorly understood. This proposal focuses on the development of whisker-related circuitry and ascending pathways in the brainstem trigeminal sensitive column. I will investigate intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic (sensory activity-dependent) mechanisms establishing whisker maps in the Principal (PrV) and Spinal (SpV) nuclei, the brainstem relay stations where whisker-related neuronal modules, or barrelettes, are firstly formed. Using ad hoc genetic tools, virus-based transynaptic circuit tracing techniques, and functional analysis of relevant homeobox transcription factors and neurotrasmitter receptors, I will investigate rostrocaudal specification of PrV vs. SpV barrelette neurons, as well as the establishment and refinement of their input-output connectivity.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences physical geography cartography
- social sciences sociology social issues social inequalities
- natural sciences mathematics pure mathematics mathematical analysis functional analysis
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
4056 BASEL
Switzerland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.