Project description
Research could reveal how genetic changes link to brain circuit activity
Understanding how genetic changes shape brain circuits and behaviours is fundamental in neuroscience. While evolution acts on the genome, behaviours emerge from the activity of neural networks, leaving a gap in understanding how these two levels are integrated. The larval olfactory system of Drosophila offers a powerful model to address these questions, as different species have evolved diverse odour-guided behaviours. Furthermore, the system is simple and well supported by molecular tools. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MolEvoNeu project will compare two Drosophila species to uncover how genetic changes drive differences in brain circuits and behaviour. Using calcium imaging and transcriptomics, the proposed research will determine the molecular changes that lead to functional and connectivity differences.
Objective
The immense variety of behaviours displayed by animals – including ourselves- arose through the evolution of neural circuits within the brain. However, how central neuronal circuits change over time, integrating these modifications within the brain's highly interconnected networks remains largely unknown. Particularly puzzling is that evolution acts at the level of the genome but behaviour arises through the activity of neuronal networks. How are these two levels integrated? How do evolutionary changes on the genome lead to changes in neuronal circuits that themselves lead to behavioural divergences across animals? The larval olfactory system of Drosophila provides a powerful model to address these questions because: 1) different Drosophila species have evolved diverse odour-guided behaviours, 2) the olfactory system is numerically simple yet parallels more complex circuits, and 3) the availability of molecular tools and resources. I will use this system to identify hotspots of central neuronal circuit evolution at both functional and genetic levels by comparing two Drosophila species. First, leveraging comparative connectomic data from the host lab, I will use calcium imaging and modelling to examine the functional impact of cross-species connectomic changes. Second, I will employ a combination of transcriptomic approaches to determine the molecular changes that lead to functional and connectivity differences. Finally, I will apply these insights to re-engineer the neuronal circuits across species by making use of the genetic tools available in D. melanogaster. This research will enhance our understanding of the intricate interactions between genes, neuronal circuits, and behaviour in the context of evolution.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence computational intelligence
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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.
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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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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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NW1 1AT London
United Kingdom
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