Project description
How sensory inputs influence animal behaviour
The approach or avoidance of stimuli is crucial for adaptive behaviour. The lateral horn and mushroom body integrate both innate and learned valences in the insect brain. However, the interaction between these valences is not fully understood. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the valence_to_behaviour project aims to create a whole-brain model using the synaptic-level connectome of the larval Drosophila brain to explore how sensory inputs influence behaviour. The goal is to understand how stored and newly acquired information about sensory stimuli interacts to shape animal behaviour. The project will develop a network architecture based on calcium imaging data, which measures neuronal responses in the valence integration circuit before, during, and after learning.
Objective
Approach or avoidance of meaningful stimuli with positive or negative valence underlie many adaptive, goal-directed behaviours. Stimulus valence can be innate or learned upon experience, and both must be integrated continuously to guide behaviour in each moment. In the insect brain, this integration occurs in the convergence of two pathways, encoding innate and learned valences, the lateral horn and the mushroom body, respectively. Prior research has focused on encoding stimulus identity separately for innate or learned valence and learned behaviour initiation. However, insights into the interaction and integration of innate and learned valences are sparse.
Deploying the available synaptic-level connectome of the entire Drosophila larva brain, I will implement the first whole-brain model to dynamically investigate processing from sensory input to behaviour. After creating the network architecture from the connectome, I will fit the model parameters using calcium imaging data that quantifies the response of key neurons in the valence integration circuit to sensory stimuli before, during, and after learning. Using the resulting comprehensive model, I will investigate the mechanisms of valence integration and examine the contributions of innate and learned valence in each moment.
This multidisciplinary approach combines the complementary benefits of model and lab experiments. I will use the model to infer the functional roles of individual circuit components. Predictions from these simulations will be tested in naturalistic experiments using camera tracking of freely behaving larvae to quantify changes in approach and avoidance behaviour to sensory stimuli before, during, and after learning as proxies for innate and learned valence. Optogenetic activation or inactivation of neurons will allow me to test model predictions directly.
This project aims to understand how stored and new information about sensory stimuli interact to influence animal behaviour jointly.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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
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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
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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