Objective
Synaptic variability between neuronal connections is thought to contribute to brain’s remarkable information processing capacities. In the adult brain, the density as well as subunit composition of synaptic NMDA receptors (NMDARs) varies considerably between synapses and between neurons. Despite the well documented heterogeneity of NMDARs the functional relevance of such diversity is poorly known. In the past, the functional relevance of such NMDAR diversity has been mostly considered in the context of neuronal development and long-term synaptic plasticity. Model simulations have highlighted that dendritic computations are strongly influenced by synaptic NMDARs densities and biophysical properties. Here I propose to directly study the consequence of NMDAR diversity in shaping integration properties of single neurons in primary somatosensory cortex (S1). To achieve this I will decompose this broad question into three specific tasks. 1-Assessment of NMDAR heterogeneity in glutamatergic neurons and study how this variability shapes dendritic integration. 2-Study the impact of NMDARs in signal computation among cortical interneurons. 3-Investigate the functional relationship between endogenous NMDAR modulators and NMDAR diversity. I plan to use an array of genetic, optogenetic and pharmacological tools in combination with imaging and electrophysiological techniques to achieve the proposed objectives. Importantly, in vivo electrophysiology and two-photon imaging will be used to assess the functional relevance of NMDARs heterogeneity in single neuron computational strategies during sensory stimulation. I expect to reveal that NMDAR diversity plays a fundamental role in sensory information processing by tuning the relative recruitment of inhibitory and excitatory neurons during sensory stimuli. This work will provide an original and important data set demonstrating how NMDARs diversity provides cortical neurons with the possibility to compute complex sensory information.
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry transition metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- natural sciences computer and information sciences data science data processing
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
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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.
(opens in new window) ERC-2015-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75794 PARIS
France
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.