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Causal investigation of Cortical Communication

Objective

This project will reveal the causal rules that govern activity transmission across layers of the cerebral cortex by leveraging unique photonic probes that can read and write neural activity with high resolution. The evolutionary expansion of a common cortical circuit to perform diverse functions demonstrates this circuit’s computational power, yet we do not know the basic communication rules that drive this versatile computational system. Due to a lack of causal experiments, we do not know how activity in one cortical layer activates the other layers. Nor do we understand how long-range projections propagate activity to downstream regions. Finally, we do not understand how behavioral state modifies these interlaminar and long-range communication rules. We can now answer these questions due to advances in precision optogenetics and new Neuropixels Opto probes developed by the host laboratory, which combine electrophysiological recording with optogenetic activation for causal interrogation of circuit dynamics. First, I will causally test how activity is transmitted across cortical layers, by using targeted layer-specific activation to reveal whether activity flows through feedforward canonical or parallelized non-canonical communication pathways (Objective 1). Second, I will reveal the causal layer-specific rules of long-range communication across cortical areas, by testing the layer-specific impacts of activating long-range projections from superficial vs deep layers (Objective 2). Finally, I will quantify state-dependent changes in local and long-range communication rules, by pairing targeted activation, local and downstream recording, and monitoring of locomotor and arousal state (Objective 3). By pairing these causal perturbations with robust computational analysis, we will gain a fundamental understanding of the communication rules that give cortical circuits their remarkable computational power.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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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.

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 276 187,92
Address
GOWER STREET
WC1E 6BT London
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — West Camden and City of London
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

No data