Objective
The ability to select a suitable mating partner is one of the primary mechanisms under which evolution occurs. Animals have evolved species-specific communication strategies that influence mate choice. During courtship, males display a combination of multisensory sexual cues to attract females. Despite extensive work has been done in understanding the role of different sexual cues in female attraction, the neuronal mechanisms that regulate multisensory integration of courtship displays are completely unexplored. Male mice attract females by releasing sexual chemo-signals, contained in their urine and scent, and emitting ultrasound vocalizations (USVs). In inbred mice, females display an innate preference for USVs emitted by novel unfamiliar individuals. This preference emerges only if they are primed with male odours, indicating multisensory integration to be fundamental for mate selection. How the brain integrates multimodal information for USVs preference is completely unknown. I will capitalize on recent advances in optical imaging and neuroanatomy, including state-of–the art high throughput techniques, such as light-sheet whole-brain imaging and multi-site functional recordings, combined with natural instinctive behaviours and in vivo electrophysiology to: i) identify key brain areas involved in olfactory and acoustic integration for USVs preference during mate choice; ii) investigate how olfaction modulates USVs sensory processing in primary auditory areas. The proposed project will identify the neuronal basis of multisensory integration of courtship cues during mate choice. It will provide extensive training in neuroanatomy, behavioural assays and advanced optical approaches to study naturalistic behaviours and multimodal communication in rodents. The success of this proposal will have a major impact on my career development, enabling me to become an independent researcher and ultimately establish my own research group in the neuroethology field.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
10124 TORINO
Italy
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.