Development of synaptic networks in songbirds

Información del proyecto

DESYNE

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 750055

DOI

10.3030/750055

Proyecto cerrado

Fecha de la firma de la CE 14 Marzo 2017

Fecha de inicio 1 Septiembre 2018

Fecha de finalización 31 Agosto 2020

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Coste total

€ 175 419,60

Aportación de la UE

€ 175 419,60

Coordinado por

EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH
Switzerland

Objetivo

Vocal learning in songbirds is a complex sensorimotor behaviour with many established parallels to human speech and language learning. Here we aim to resolve the neural ultra-structure of a key premotor area in the songbird brain, HVC (proper name). HVC plays a major role in song learning and takes part in both song perception and production. To understand the neural mechanisms of tutor song memorization and emergence of stereotyped adult song, we plan to map the networks of HVC’s afferent and efferent synaptic connections and to explore the experience dependence of these connections during tutor-based song learning.
Electron microscopy (EM) is a valuable approach for detecting synapses in densely labeled brain tissues. However, one of the main challenges of EM is to identify topographic origin of synapses as well as pre- and postsynaptic cell types. I plan to address this problem by combining EM and light microscopy using correlative array tomography (CAT), a technique for visualizing projection neuron networks (projectomics). CAT involves multiple steps of labeling, staining, scanning, and correlating datasets, which is a feasible but time consuming workflow.
As high-risk addition to my plan of using CAT, I will also apply expansion microscopy (ExM) to this projectomics problem. The ExM approach is based on physical expansion of fluorescently labeled biological tissue prior to light microscopic imaging. ExM holds the promise of extremely efficient imaging beyond Abbe’s diffraction limit, which may allow it to replace EM for certain applications such as visualizing synaptic connections. ExM is a promising yet unexplored new tool for projectomics research and avian neuroanatomy in general. We will use ExM, CAT, or a combination, to resolve central and peripheral networks involved in tutor based song learning. Our work will contribute to visualizing the synaptic changes underlying birdsong learning and will explore the feasibility of ExM for projectomics research.

Ámbito científico (EuroSciVoc)

• ciencias naturales › ciencias físicas › óptica › microscopía › electron microscopy

Programa(s)

• H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions PROGRAMA PRINCIPAL
  
• H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
  

Tema(s)

• MSCA-IF-2016 - Individual Fellowships
  

Régimen de financiación

MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF

Convocatoria de propuestas

H2020-MSCA-IF-2016

Coordinador

EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH

• Aportación neta de la UEn: € 175 419,60
• Dirección: Raemistrasse 101 ; 8092 Zuerich ; Suiza
• Región: Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera › Zürich › Zürich
• Tipo de actividad: Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
• Coste total: € 175 419,60