Project description
A closer look at the flexibility of survival instincts
Instinctive behaviours like defence, feeding, and parental care are crucial for survival across animal species. Contrary to the belief that these behaviours are hard-wired, they are, in fact, adaptable and influenced by factors such as stress, hunger, and hormonal cycles. With this in mind, the ERC-funded CoreInstincts project will focus on the periaqueductal gray (PAG) region in the brainstem. By studying the PAG’s cellular and network properties in mice, particularly during motivational conflicts and hormonal changes, the project seeks to uncover how this brain region modulates instinctive behaviours. This research could significantly enhance our understanding of the neural and molecular basis of adaptive behaviours, with a special focus on female brain processes.
Objective
Instinctive behaviours that achieve defence, feeding, aggression and parental care have evolved across animal phyla to ensure survival without the need for learning. Contrary to common belief, instinctive behaviours are not ‘hard-wired’ reflexes, but can be flexible in both action selection and execution. They are modulated by internal states, such as stress, hunger or oestrous cycle, and may undergo short- and long-lasting adaptations in order to accommodate environmental changes and individual needs. The aim of this proposal is to gain a mechanistic understanding of adaptive instinctive behaviour output within a quantitative neuroethological framework and by combining molecular, cellular and circuit-level approaches. I will focus on the vertebrate periaqueductal gray (PAG), an evolutionarily conserved brainstem region that plays a crucial role in the initiation and execution of virtually all instinctive behaviours. Despite this, a comprehensive analysis of the cellular and network properties of the PAG, and their behavioural correlates, is lacking. In addition to generating the first dataset of PAG network topology using high resolution in vitro anatomical and electrophysiological approaches, we will study its neural computations across multiple instinctive behaviours and during motivational conflict using neural activity recordings in freely behaving mice. Building on these results, we will test the role of neuromodulation in imparting flexibility to this circuit (and the selection of appropriate behaviours), focussing on naturally-occurring neuromodulatory changes during the oestrous cycle. By establishing how the PAG – a critical circuit that closely precedes motor neuron recruitment – controls and imparts flexibility to instinctive behaviours, this proposal will expand our knowledge on the neural and molecular basis of adaptive behavioural output that is fundamental for the survival of all animals, with an emphasis on the female brain.
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.
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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) ERC-2024-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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.