In vivo imaging of functional plasticity in the mammalian brain

Objective

"The dynamic nature of the brain operates at disparate time scales ranging from milliseconds to months. How do single neurons change over such long time scales? This question remains stubborn to answer in the field of brain plasticity mainly because of limited tools to study the physiology of single neurons over time in the complex environment of the brain. The research aim of this proposal is to reveal the physiological changes of single neurons in the mammalian brain over disparate time scales using time-lapse optical imaging. Specifically, we aim to establish a new team that will develop genetic and optical tools to probe the physiological activity of single neurons, in vivo. As a model system, we will study a unique neuronal population in the mammalian brain; the adult-born local neurons in the olfactory bulb. These neurons have tremendous potential to reveal how neurons develop and maintain in the intact brain because they are accessible both genetically and optically. By following the behavior of adult-born neurons in vivo we will discover how neurons mature and maintain over days and weeks. If our objectives will be met, this study has the potential to significantly ""raise the bar"" on how neuronal plasticity is studied and reveal some basic secrets of the ever changing mammalian brain."

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.

• natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
• natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
• engineering and technology medical engineering diagnostic imaging

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

• Plasticity
• olfaction

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

• 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)

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.

• ERC-SG-LS4 - ERC Starting Grant - Physiology, Pathophysiology and Endocrinology

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

ERC-2007-StG
See other projects for this call

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.

ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant

Host institution

Beneficiaries (1)