Objective Acetylcholine released by cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain is a critical component of the modulatory cocktail governing the emergence, stabilization and reorganization of cortical ensembles of co-active neurons representing the environment. In the hippocampus, ACh renders the state of the network optimal for the acquisition of novel information. Deterioration of cholinergic modulation leads to severe deficits in hippocampal function manifested as debilitating cognitive impairments. Despite decades of intense research fundamental questions are still open about the cholinergic modulation of hippocampal information processing: i) how is the behaviour-dependent firing of different neuron types determined by ACh? ii) how does ACh contribute to the emergence of the spatially selective firing of principal cells, their amalgamation into sequences representing the surroundings of the animal and the storage of “relevant” sequences? iii) how does ACh alter the place code in response to salient environmental stimuli? Technological breakthroughs of the past years have opened the possibilities of addressing these long-standing questions about cholinergic modulation. Thus, I aim to combine the latest electrophysiological recording, optogenetic manipulation and behavioural tracking methods to monitor hippocampal neuronal ensembles in freely behaving mice while manipulating the cholinergic input of the hippocampus by light-responsive microbial opsins. Results of the proposed research programme will decipher the role of ACh in hippocampal information processing and inform us how subcortical modulation contributes to the conversion of external inputs from the environment to internal representations. By accomplishing the programme outlined in the proposal I will be acquainted with the cutting edge technologies as well as skills indispensable for starting my independent research group and expanding the research potential of my home institute. Fields of science engineering and technologymaterials engineeringfibersnatural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologycognitive neurosciencenatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyvirologynatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata sciencedata processingnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencecomputational intelligence Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2015-GF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-GF - Global Fellowships Coordinator HUN REN KISERLETI ORVOSTUDOMANYI KUTATOINTEZET Net EU contribution € 245 250,00 Address SZIGONY UTCA 43 1083 Budapest Hungary See on map Region Közép-Magyarország Budapest Budapest Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 245 250,00 Partners (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all Partner Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement. NEW YORK UNIVERSITY United States Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address 70 WASHINGTON SQUARE SOUTH 10003 1526 New York See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 172 130,40