Project description
Interactions of cortical neuronal subpopulations in the process of encoding information
Relevant behaviours result from the brain's integration and processing of sensory information in response to certain visual features. This tuning arises from structured connections between cortical neurons represented by numerous neuronal subpopulations involved in different functions. Studies on this neuronal diversity in cortical computation have left the fine subpopulations mainly unexplored. The EU-funded SUBNETVIS project will employ innovative in situ transcriptomics to study the tuning properties and locomotor modulation of the neuronal subpopulations in the mouse primary visual cortex. This technique will allow high-throughput identification of neuronal subpopulations on fixed tissue, based on the transcriptomic signature of neurons. The project will contribute to the understanding of how cortical neuronal subpopulations interact to encode sensory information.
Objective
To produce relevant behaviors, the brain integrates and processes sensory information. Neurons in the primary visual cortex extract sensory information by responding preferentially to certain visual features. This feature preference, or tuning, is thought to arise from structured connections established between cortical neurons. Accordingly, it was found that connected neurons in the cerebral cortex share similar tuning properties. Interestingly, the neurons populating the cerebral cortex correspond to numerous neuronal subpopulations, involved in different functions. However, the functional involvement of this large neuronal diversity in cortical computation has been so far studied for a few broad neuronal subpopulations, leaving the fine subpopulations mainly unexplored. Do these poorly studied neuronal subpopulations share similar tuning properties? Is the structured connectivity giving rise to tuning subpopulation specific? I will use a new technique referred as in situ transcriptomics to study the tuning properties and locomotor modulation of the diverse neuronal subpopulations in the mouse primary visual cortex. This technique provides high throughput identification of neuronal subpopulations on fixed tissue based on the transcriptomic signature of neurons. I will thus determine the identity of in vivo recorded neurons a posteriori and decipher the relationships between cell identity and responses to visual stimuli. Combining this approach with single cell initiated monosynaptic tracing, I will then explore the link between subpopulation specific connectivity and tuning properties. This project will greatly contribute to the understanding of how cortical neuronal subpopulations interact to encode sensory information. I will perform these experiments in the Cortical Processing Laboratory at University College London, led by Professors Kenneth Harris and Matteo Carandini.
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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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
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.
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
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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2018
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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.
WC1E 6BT LONDON
United Kingdom
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.