Objetivo The classification of cell types that make up the brain has long been recognized as a prerequisites to understanding brain function. In addition, relating identified neurons to neural function has relied heavily on their inactivation. To answer such questions a tool that allows one to reliably target specific cells for recording, labeling and manipulation is needed. Here I describe a multidisciplinary approach that will allow us to both identify and characterize local interneurons, as well as determine their role in specific neuronal circuits. The methodology makes use of transgenic technologies to identify and label specific neurons and manipulate local circuit activity, electrophysiology and functional imaging to monitor the activity of labeled cells and computational modeling to understand the information processing performed. Our model system is the mouse retina because it is easy to isolate, maintain in vitro and its neural activity can be easily monitored. Transgenic technologies will play two key roles in this project. First, transgenic mice with genetically labeled cells will be used to classify single neuronal types, allowing us to repeatedly record from the identified cells. Second, genetically identified amacrine cells will be endowed with exogenous proteins that allow for either their reversible activation or inactivation. The specific activation of identified amacrine cells will allow us identify the ganglion cells they innervate, while their inactivation gives a tool to assess their role in the local circuit. By monitoring the affects on ganglion cells of activating and inactivation identified amacrine cells we will be able to define a local neuronal circuit, determine the circuits role in retinal visual processing and ascertain how the specified interneuron affects visual processing. This work will take our understanding of retinal visual information forward while the techniques developed will be applicable to studying other brain regions Ámbito científico natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineophthalmologynatural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsmathematical analysisfunctional analysisnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencedata processing Palabras clave Neurophysiology genetic identification neural circuits Programa(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Tema(s) PEOPLE-2007-2-1.IEF - Marie Curie Action: "Intra-European Fellowships for Career Development" Convocatoria de propuestas FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria Régimen de financiación MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinador Novartis Forschungsstiftung Aportación de la UE € 181 565,77 Dirección Maulbeerstrasse 66 4058 BASEL Suiza Ver en el mapa Tipo de actividad Research Organisations Contacto administrativo Botond Roska (Dr.) Enlaces Contactar con la organización Opens in new window Sitio web Opens in new window Coste total Sin datos
