Obiettivo Neuronal circuitries underlying the function of the mammalian cerebral cortex collectively constitute one of the most complex biological systems. As such, unraveling the mechanisms that control their development represents one of the most challenging questions in Science. Understanding this process is also an imperative need in biomedicine, because abnormal wiring is thought to cause severe neuropsychiatric disorders.During development, the astonishing specificity of neuronal wiring is achieved by the coordination of multiple cues, which first guide axons to the right target area, then to the proper cellular partner and, finally, to the precise subcellular compartment onto which synapses will be formed. Subcellular segregation of synapses occurs for all types of inputs, but it reaches its highest diversity for inhibitory GABAergic terminals. Much is known about the general machinery controlling axon guidance in the developing brain; in contrast, the mechanisms of synapse segregation remain largely unknown.The goal of this proposal is to identify molecules involved in subcellular domain-restricted GABAergic synapse targeting. To this aim, we will carry out a candidate approach strategy and an unbiased genomic screening comparing neurons obtained from specific populations of interneurons that make synapses into different subcellular compartments. Promising candidates will then be tested by gain and loss of function experiments using confocal and two-photon microscopy in vivo and cell biology analyses in vitro. To confirm the functional relevance of candidate molecules, we will combine optogenetics tools with gain and loss of function approaches in slices cultures. Unraveling the mechanisms that control the precise spatial organization of synapse formation during development may have a major impact in our knowledge, from understanding plasticity in the healthy brain to identifying wiring abnormalities in disease. Campo scientifico natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologynatural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopy Programma(i) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Argomento(i) ERC-SG-LS5 - ERC Starting Grant - Neurosciences and neural disorders Invito a presentare proposte ERC-2012-StG_20111109 Vedi altri progetti per questo bando Meccanismo di finanziamento ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Istituzione ospitante KING'S COLLEGE LONDON Contributo UE € 1 133 038,53 Indirizzo STRAND WC2R 2LS London Regno Unito Mostra sulla mappa Regione London Inner London — West Westminster Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contatto amministrativo Paul Labbett (Mr.) Ricercatore principale Beatriz Rico Gozalo (Dr.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato Beneficiari (2) Classifica in ordine alfabetico Classifica per Contributo UE Espandi tutto Riduci tutto KING'S COLLEGE LONDON Regno Unito Contributo UE € 1 133 038,53 Indirizzo STRAND WC2R 2LS London Mostra sulla mappa Regione London Inner London — West Westminster Tipo di attività Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contatto amministrativo Paul Labbett (Mr.) Ricercatore principale Beatriz Rico Gozalo (Dr.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Partecipazione conclusa Spagna Contributo UE € 366 960,47 Indirizzo CALLE SERRANO 117 28006 Madrid Mostra sulla mappa Regione Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Tipo di attività Research Organisations Contatto amministrativo Ana Maria De La Fuente (Ms.) Collegamenti Contatta l’organizzazione Opens in new window Sito web Opens in new window Costo totale Nessun dato