Project

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Optical Imaging of Cortical Motor Control

English title Optical Imaging of Cortical Motor Control
Applicant Huber Daniel
Number 133710
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 01.01.2012 - 31.12.2015
Approved amount 1'599'661.00
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Keywords (5)

motor cortex; optical imaging; mouse behavior; skill learning ; brain plasticity

Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
Whether it is for tying one’s shoe laces or exploring the iPhone, we need to continuously practice new movements and acquire novel motor skills. Motor cortex is one of the key brain areas participating in coordinating and learning of such voluntary movements. Despite decades of research this brain area remains poorly understood. The general aim of this project is to use a series of innovative optical imaging methods, such as in vivo two-photon microscopy, to record neuronal activity in the motor cortex with single cell resolution and thereby gain a better understanding of the exact neuronal network dynamics underlying motor control and skill learning. We will use mice as model system since they are great manipulators and give access to a wide variety of important molecular tools and to well established models motor diseases. These experiments in rodents will ultimately help us to understand some of the basic neuronal mechanisms that govern our own actions, enabling us to solve new challenges.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

Responsible applicant and co-applicants

Employees

Publications

Publication
Procedures for behavioral experiments in head-fixed mice.
Guo Zengcai V, Hires S Andrew, Li Nuo, O'Connor Daniel H, Komiyama Takaki, Ophir Eran, Huber Daniel, Bonardi Claudia, Morandell Karin, Gutnisky Diego, Peron Simon, Xu Ning-long, Cox James, Svoboda Karel (2014), Procedures for behavioral experiments in head-fixed mice., in PloS one, 9(2), 88678-88678.
Quantum dot-based multiphoton fluorescent pipettes for targeted neuronal electrophysiology
Andrásfalvy Bertalan, Galiñanes Gregorio, Huber Daniel, Barbic Mladen, Macklin John, Susumu K, Delhandty John, Huston Alen, Makara Judit, Menditz Igor (2014), Quantum dot-based multiphoton fluorescent pipettes for targeted neuronal electrophysiology, in Nature Methods, 11, 1237-1241.

Scientific events

Active participation

Title Type of contribution Title of article or contribution Date Place Persons involved
FENS Meeting Poster Optogenetic loss-of-function mapping of cortical motor circuits involved in voluntary action 10.09.2014 Milan, Italy Huber Daniel; Bonardi Claudia; Morandell Karin;
Motor Meeting, EPFL, Lausanne Poster Optogenetic loss-of-function mapping of cortical motor circuits involved in voluntary action 16.08.2013 Lausanne, Switzerland Morandell Karin;


Awards

Title Year
Robertson Investigator of the New York Stem Cell Foundation 2013

Associated projects

Number Title Start Funding scheme
163762 Optical Imaging of Cortical Motor Control 01.01.2016 SNSF Professorships

Abstract

The motor cortex undergoes rapid functional reorganization during the acquisition of novel skills. The circuit mechanisms underlying theses changes are not well understood. The general aim of this project is to use optogentic tools and long term imaging with genetically encoded activity indicators to characterize the fine-scale organization of cortical motor circuits and to dissect the role of individual cell types and specific neuromodulators in motor learning. These experiments in rodents will not only help us to understand some of the basic neuronal mechanisms that govern our own actions, they can potentially pave the way to novel approaches for the treatment of motor impairments, frequently caused by cerebrovascular accidents.
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