Synaptic and Neuroenegertic Networks

The cerebral cortex comprises diverse areas involved in perception, movement or cognition. In spite of this functional diversity, the cortical network is formed with the repetition of a microcircuit. This microcircuit contains excitatory and inhibitory neuronal types. We contributed to showing that inhibitory neurons can be classified into a limited number of cell types 

The input/output function of cortical circuits depends on the behavioral states. Our first aim is now to understand how behaviorally-relevant neuromodulators change the properties of the microcircuit. The energy consumption of cortical circuits depends on their activity.

Our second aim is to understand how the microcircuit controls its energy supply and metabolism via interactions with the glio-vascular network.

We address these points at the molecular, cellular and network levels in rodent cortical slices. We use electrophysiology that we often combine with single cell RT-PCR and histochemistry. We also use viral transfer to express various genes of interest in cortical and corticopetal neurons. Among these genes, we express the light-operated channelrhodopsin to excite specific neuronal types and evaluate their influence on the cortical network. We also use diverse bioluminescent or fluorescent genetically-encoded sensors to image neuronal activities at the cellular and multicellular levels. 

Collaborations


Local

  • S El Mestikawy, Production of an anti-GRID1 antibody.
  • P. Faure. Nicotinic transmission / Implementation of optogenetics, Tolu et al. 2012 / FRC grant (Faure PI).
  • N Leresche / R Lambert, Implementation of optogenetics, FRC grant (Faure PI).
  • L Rondi, Implementation of optogenetics, FRC grant (Faure PI).
  • P Vincent, Imaging of genetically encoded sensors in slices, Hu et al 2011.
  • IFR83 imaging facility, FLIM imaging of genetically encoded sensors, Bonnot et al 2014 / implementation of two-photon microscopy. NeRF grant (Herzog PI).

National

  • G Bonvento (MIRCen, Fontenay-aux-Roses). Neurometabolic coupling/Alzheimer’s disease, ANR and France Alzheimer grants.
  • V Emiliani (Univ. Paris Descartes), Digital holography, FRC grant (Emiliani PI).
  • C Levenes (Univ. Paris Descartes) / J Perroy (IGF, Monpellier). GluR delta, ANR grant, Ady et al 2014.
  • JC Poncer (UPMC/INSERM), Cortical circuits. Cabezas et al 2013.
  • M Tanter (Institut Langevin), Functional ultrasound Imaging, FRC grant (Montaldo PI).

International

  • D Battaglia (Göttingen, DE). Modelling cortical circuits. Karagiannis et al 2009, Battaglia et al 2013.
  • E Hamel (McGill University, Montréal, Canada). Neurovascular coupling. Lecrux et al 2011, Cauli and Hamel 2010.
  • E Hillmann (Columbia U University, USA). Neurovascular coupling. Karagiannis et al 2009. McCaslin et al 2011, HFSP grant.
  • T Kilduff (Stanford Res Intl, USA). Interneurons, Kilduff et al 2011.
  • R Lujan (University Castilla La Mancha, Albacete ,Spain). GluR delta.
  • T Murphy (University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada). Neurovascular coupling. UPMC-UBC exchange program.
  • P Somogyi / K Lamsa (MRC Neuropharmacology, Oxford, UK). Interneurons / plasticity. Szabo et al 2012.
  • JF Staiger (Gottingen, DE). Cortical circuits. Karagiannis et al 2009, De Felipe et al 2013, Pohlkamp et al 2013.
  • G Tamas (University of Szeged, Hungary). Cortical circuits. Andjelic et al 2009.