Objectif The core function of all brains is to compute the current state of the world, compare it to the desired state of the world and select motor programs that drive behavior minimizing any mismatch. The circuits underlying these functions are the key to understand brains in general, but so far they are completely unknown. Three problems have hindered progress: 1) The animal’s desired state of the world is rarely known. 2) Most studies in simple models have focused on sensory driven, reflex-like processes, and not considered self-initiated behavior. 3) The circuits underlying complex behaviors in vertebrates are widely distributed, containing millions of neurons. With this proposal I aim at overcoming these problems using insects, whose tiny brains solve the same basic problems as our brains but with 100,000 times fewer cells. Moreover, the central complex, a single conserved brain region consisting of only a few thousand neurons, is crucial for sensory integration, motor control and state-dependent modulation, essentially being a ‘brain in the brain’. To simplify the problem further I will focus on navigation behavior. Here, the desired and actual states of the world are equal to the desired and current headings of the animal, with mismatches resulting in compensatory steering. I have previously shown how the central complex encodes the animal’s current heading. Now I will use behavioral training to generate animals with highly defined desired headings, and correlate neural activity with the animal’s ‘intentions’ and actions - at the level of identified neurons. To establish the involved conserved core circuitry valid across insects I will compare species with distinct lifestyles. Secondly, I will reveal how these circuits have evolved to account for each species’ unique ecology. The proposed work will provide a coherent framework to study key concepts of fundamental brain functions in unprecedented detail - using a single, conserved, but flexible neural circuit. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyelectron microscopynatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomologyapidologynatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologymammalogynatural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationsvirtual reality Mots‑clés central complex internal compass navigation sensory-motor transformation behavior circuits Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Thème(s) ERC-2016-STG - ERC Starting Grant Appel à propositions ERC-2016-STG Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement ERC-STG - Starting Grant Institution d’accueil LUNDS UNIVERSITET Contribution nette de l'UE € 1 500 000,00 Adresse Paradisgatan 5c 22100 Lund Suède Voir sur la carte Région Södra Sverige Sydsverige Skåne län Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 1 500 000,00 Bénéficiaires (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution nette de l'UE Tout développer Tout réduire LUNDS UNIVERSITET Suède Contribution nette de l'UE € 1 500 000,00 Adresse Paradisgatan 5c 22100 Lund Voir sur la carte Région Södra Sverige Sydsverige Skåne län Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 1 500 000,00