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Neural Mechanisms of Action-Selection During Sensory Conflict

Descrizione del progetto

I meccanismi neuronali della selezione di un’azione appropriata

I meccanismi neuronali di selezione delle azioni, o il modo in cui il cervello valuta opzioni sensoriali in conflitto e sceglie un’azione appropriata, rimangono sconosciuti. Il progetto CourtEscape, finanziato dall’UE, si propone di studiare i meccanismi neuronali che governano la selezione tra opzioni concorrenti. I ricercatori svilupperanno un nuovo saggio in cui i maschi di moscerino della frutta Drosophila si confronteranno con minacce visive durante l’accoppiamento, creando un conflitto tra la sopravvivenza e la riproduzione. L’obiettivo consiste nell’identificare i neuroni il cui sviluppo impedisce ai maschi di interrompere il corteggiamento in risposta alla minaccia, attraverso l’impiego di strumenti optogenetici in combinazione con uno schermo comportamentale. Il progetto intende, in definitiva, costruire una mappa della rete neurale per la selezione dell’azione.

Obiettivo

Prioritising the most urgent goal according to the context and physiological needs is crucial for the success of any organism. Action-selection processes are often disrupted in neuropathologies, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and addiction; however, the underlying neuronal mechanisms are not well understood. Crucially, how the brain evaluates sensory conflicting options and selects an appropriate action remains unknown. I will tackle this question using a novel assay in which Drosophila fruit fly males are confronted with visual threats during courtship, which creates a conflict between survival and reproduction. Capitalising on refined genetic tools, I aim to unravel neural mechanisms that govern the selection between competing options. I will carry out a behavioural screen to identify neurons that allow the fly to choose between courting a mate and escaping a threat. From an in silico screen of Gal4 fly lines targeting defined cells, I will select lines based on their potential connectivity with courtship-command neurons. Using optogenetic tools, I will identify neurons that, when activated or inhibited, prevent males from blocking courtship in response to the threat. Next, I will ask if these cells respond to the threat in live Ca2+ imaging studies, and test if they are linked with the courtship circuitry using pre and post-synaptic markers and GRASP (to test potential synaptic connections). To probe if candidate neurons are functionally linked, I will manipulate the activity of upstream cells, and test the responses in downstream cells with Ca2+ imaging. This will allow me to build a map of the neural network of action-selection. Finally, I will test how external and internal state variables modulate action-selection. This study will provide insights into fundamental brain processes that may work in other animals, including humans.

Meccanismo di finanziamento

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

Coordinatore

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 212 933,76
Indirizzo
Edgbaston
B15 2TT Birmingham
Regno Unito

Mostra sulla mappa

Regione
West Midlands (England) West Midlands Birmingham
Tipo di attività
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Collegamenti
Costo totale
€ 212 933,76