Scientific project - Identification of neuronal circuit mechanisms during action selection on single-cell level
To achieve to goal of the project, the researcher performed whole brain functional imaging experiment, while monitoring the behaviors. Next, neurons, whose activity were correlated or anti-correlated with a behavior transition were identified in the functional connectivity maps. In order to locate the neurons in the connectome, the researcher acquired an electron microscopy volume from the light microscopy volume. To achieve that goal, the fixation protocol for FIB SEM (focus ion beam scanning electron microscopy) imaging was optimized to increase contrast with minimal tissue damage. Afterwards, both volumes, electron and light microscopy volume, were registered with single cell accuracy to guarantee the unambiguous location of the cells in the connectome. Subsequently the neuronal backbone were reconstructed until identification. The researcher generated the necessary data and identified some neurons between the different modalities. The function of the neurons in the neuronal circuit were tested by performing optogenetic activation experiments of the identified neurons and their postsynaptic partners. Notably, the researcher could show that a neuron might evoke a certain action by inhibiting competing behaviors via different descending neurons.
Ultimately, the researcher identify brain regions and single cells which play a significant role in behavior reporting, state-dependency and generating efferent copies. Adapting the same workflow, the researcher also generated whole brain neurotransmitter expression maps and identified neurotransmitter positive cells in the connectome. This enables the researcher to identify inhibitory and excitatory neurons and refine our models of how single neurons and complete neuronal circuits evoke and maintain new actions.
Exploitation, dissemination and communication
The researcher participated in the following workshops: a) Leadership and Management course, Supervision for undergraduate students and Grant writing.
Results of the project were communicated at the FENS conference (poster), Modulation of Neural Circuits and Behavior conference (poster) and presented during two department seminars, the postdoc seminar series (MPI for Brain Research), TechEM seminar series (international, online) and Monthly Maggot Monday seminar series (international, online).
