Cel Emotions are a central part of our mental self and health, playing a crucial role in guiding behaviors essential for survival. For instance, threats evoke fear and avoidance behaviors; conversely, rewards induce reward-states and approach behaviors. Resolving how the variety of emotions emerges in the brain remains a major challenge for modern neuroscience. The main objective of the proposed research is to investigate how opposite emotions like fear and reward are differentially processed in the limbic system. We hypothesize that these basic emotional states are encoded by interactions of neural circuits specific for negative or positive emotional valence and circuits for arousal. To address this problem, we will first aim to develop a novel genetic tagging approach for differential brain-wide screening for emotional valence and arousal circuits in a combined Pavlovian fear and reward conditioning task. Second, we will investigate how fear and reward are encoded in selected hotspots within this circuitry: by pharmaco- and optogenetic manipulations, we will test whether emotional states require the activity of, and can be induced by, a combination of valence and arousal circuits. This research will provide a circuit mechanistic framework for understanding the neural organization of emotions in health and disease and establishes a novel imaging method which will be useful for investigating other brain functions in a similar fashion.This postdoctoral project will significantly contribute to my career development by complementing my expertise in behavioral neuroscience with training in circuit neuroscience and by reinforcing my professional maturity and leadership qualities. Moreover, the reciprocal transfer of my expertise in behavioral neuroscience to the host laboratory and, in turn, my training in cutting-edge technologies in preparation for a position in my home country, is a tremendous opportunity for the diffusion of knowledge within the European Research Area. Dziedzina nauki natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiology Program(-y) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Temat(-y) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Zaproszenie do składania wniosków FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Koordynator FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT FUR MOLEKULARE PATHOLOGIE GESELLSCHAFT MBH Wkład UE € 179 137,20 Adres CAMPUS-VIENNA-BIOCENTER 1 1030 Wien Austria Zobacz na mapie Region Ostösterreich Wien Wien Rodzaj działalności Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Kontakt administracyjny Tanja Winkler (Mrs.) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Koszt całkowity Brak danych