Project

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Maturation of adult-born interneurons and consequences on sensory perception

English title Maturation of adult-born interneurons and consequences on sensory perception
Applicant Carleton Alan
Number 119169
Funding scheme SNSF Professorships
Research institution Dépt des Neurosciences Fondamentales Faculté de Médecine Université de Genève
Institution of higher education University of Geneva - GE
Main discipline Neurophysiology and Brain Research
Start/End 01.04.2008 - 31.03.2012
Approved amount 1'525'351.00
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Keywords (10)

Neurogenesis; mirgration; dendritic development; sensory; perception; sensory coding; adult neurogenesis; neuronal maturation; sensory processing; olfaction

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
While most neurons in the central nervous system are born during the embryonic and early postnatal periods, it is now well accepted that few regions of the brain keep producing new neurons throughout life, even during aging. Adult neurogenesis may thus represent a novel form of brain plasticity. It is therefore of great interest to understand how the entire neurogenetic process (birth, differentiation and death of a neuron) may be regulated both by internal and external factors since these information could also be used for future therapeutically treatments using adult neural stem cells. In this project, we propose to use a combination of time lapse 2-photon microscopy and computer vision algorithms to study the neuronal maturation process in living brain tissue. We propose to study the impact of genetic and epigenetic factors on neuronal maturation on the olfactory system.In addition, we further intend to study the impact of neurogenesis and the mechanisms controlling neuronal maturation on sensory processing during odor perception. Indeed, how sensory processing is occurring into the brain and how to relate behavior to neuronal activities are key questions in modern neuroscience. We propose to study how the olfactory system processes sensory information and how adult neurogenesis may play a role in this process. We will use a combination of genetic, electrophysiological, imaging and behavioral methods.Our project will not only provide new data about neuronal maturation but also on sensory processing. In conclusion, we think that the current project may offer a unique and novel way to study adult neurogenesis and neural function that may represent a model of endogenous regeneration and functional repair of the brain.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Publications

Publication
Encoding odorant identity by spiking packets of rate-invariant neurons in awake mice.
Gschwend Olivier, Beroud Jonathan, Carleton Alan (2012), Encoding odorant identity by spiking packets of rate-invariant neurons in awake mice., in PloS one, 7(1), 30155-30155.
Dense representation of natural odorants in the mouse olfactory bulb.
Vincis Roberto, Gschwend Olivier, Bhaukaurally Khaleel, Beroud Jonathan, Carleton Alan (2012), Dense representation of natural odorants in the mouse olfactory bulb., in Nature neuroscience, 15(4), 537-9.
Temporal Coding in Olfaction
Bathellier Brice, Gschwend Olivier, Carleton Alan (2010), Temporal Coding in Olfaction, 329-351.
Coding in the mammalian gustatory system.
Carleton Alan, Accolla Riccardo, Simon Sidney A (2010), Coding in the mammalian gustatory system., in Trends in neurosciences, 33(7), 326-34.

Scientific events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Title of article or contribution Date Place Persons involved
“Animal models and human brain research”: workshop organized by the Bern-Friboug neuroscience school 18.01.2012 Friboug, Suisse
“Perspectives in Mathematics and Life Sciences”: workshop organized by the spanish royal society of mathematics 06.06.2011 Grenade, Espagne
7th Giessbach Meeting “Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology of Mental Disease” 19.05.2011 Giessbach, Suisse
20th meeting of the European chemoreception research organization 14.09.2010 Avignon, France
19th meeting of the European chemoreception research organization 24.09.2009 Cagliari, Italie
European Neuroscience Institute network meeting 20.05.2009 Crete, Grèce
18th meeting of the European chemoreception research organization 03.09.2008 Portoroz, Slovénie
International symposium of olfaction and taste 21.07.2008 San Francisco, USA


Self-organised

Title Date Place
FENS-IBRO imaging training center: “Imaging neural function” 22.08.2010 Lausanne-Genève, Suisse
Cell type specific manipulations of neural networks 05.09.2009 Genève, Suisse

Awards

Title Year
EMBO long term fellowship 2010
European Molecular Biology Organization young investigator 2010
Ajinomoto Award for Young Investigator in Gustation, attributed by the American Association for Chem 2009
European Research Council starting grant fellow 2009
Firmenich flavour and fragrance science international award 2009
American Association for Chemoreception Sciences (AChemS) Award for Young Investigator in Olfaction 2008

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
139189 mechanisms underlying sensory coding and plasticity in olfaction 01.04.2012 SNSF Professorships
139229 Platform for integrated mouse behavior (PIMB) 01.12.2011 R'EQUIP
128821 High-resolution ultrasound imaging for micro-targeted in vivo delivery and monitoring of cells, genes, and biomaterials. 01.12.2009 R'EQUIP

Abstract

While most neurons in the central nervous system are born during the embryonic and early postnatal periods, it is now well accepted that few regions of the brain keep producing new neurons throughout life, even during aging. Adult neurogenesis may represent a new form of brain plasticity. It is therefore of great interest to understand how the entire neurogenetic process (birth, differentiation and death of a neuron) may be regulated both by internal and external factors since these information could also be used for future therapeutically treatments using adult neural stem cells. In this project, we propose to use a combination of time lapse 2-photon microscopy and computer vision algorithms to study the neuronal maturation process in living brain tissue. We propose to study the impact of genetic and epigenetic factors on neuronal maturation on the olfactory system. We further intend to study the impact of neurogenesis and the mechanisms controlling neuronal maturation on sensory processing using in vivo neuronal ensemble recordings during odor perception. Our project will not only provide new data about neuronal maturation but also on sensory processing.
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