Objective
Research objectives and content
The objectives of the proposed research are to determine the properties of excitatory synaptic transmission at the level of individual synapses between pyramidal neurons of the neocortex. Combined electrophysiological recordings and calcium imaging will be performed on connected layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in brain slices using the whole-cell patch clamp technique and confocal imaging. This will allow the isolation of postsynaptic responses from single synaptic connections at well defined locations on the dendritic arbor. In addition, it will be possible to correlate the postsynaptic response with both presynaptic and postsynaptic changes in calcium concentration.This technique will make it possible to gain a better understanding of several poorly understood properties of synaptic transmission. Through the measurement of presynaptic calcium changes it will be possible to examine some possible causes for failure to release transmitter in response to action potentials generated at the soma. It will also be possible to determine the variability in postsynaptic responses at individual synapses. Finally, the influence of the location of the synapse with respect to the somas of the presynaptic and postsynaptic neuron will be investigated.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
The laboratory of Prof. Dr. Sakmann has developed excellent techniques for studying synaptic transmission between connected pairs of pyramidal neurons in the neocortex through a combination of electrophysiology and calcium imaging. The proposed project takes full advantage of this expertise of the laboratory and I will thus be able to learn the techniques involved in making paired recordings from connected pyramidal neurons in the neocortical slice together with high resolution calcium imaging. It is, of course, also hoped that much will be learnt concerning excitatory synaptic transmission in the neocortex at the level of individual synapses, which should lead to a better understanding of how neurons communicate in a close to physiological setting.
Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
No links with industry.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy confocal microscopy
You need to log in or register to use this function
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.
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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
Coordinator
69120 Heidelberg
Germany
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.