Wiring new neurons within adult brain circuits

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Wolfgang Kelsch
• Subject Area: Developmental Neurobiology
• Term: from 2010 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 186541016

New neurons encounter different environments depending on whether they integrate into developing or adult mammalian brain circuits. It is critical to understand the factors governing synaptic wiring to eventually provide target-specific brain repair and gain insight into circuit assembly during brain development in health and diseases. The extent to which connectivity patterns are pre-determined at a stem cell stage and how far they can be ‘overwritten’ by experience remains largely unknown. Recent work revealed that certain aspects of synaptic wiring are genetically predetermined at a stem cell stage in the olfactory bulb and neocortex. Still, whereas the overall pattern is predetermined, the densities of synapses between these neurons can be shaped by environmental factors. We propose to examine in adult-born neurons in the olfactory bulb, how genetic determination of the wiring translates into functional connectivity, and which aspects of synaptic wiring can be modulated by the brain environment into which new neurons integrate. In parallel, we will study the development of synaptic wiring of neocortical neurons. In particular, we will examine the degree to which genetically predetermined synaptic connectivity can be ‘overwritten’ by experience. This work shall contribute to our understanding of synaptic wiring of new neurons in the developing and adult brain.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups
• Major Instrumentation: Mikroskopsystem zur neuronalen Rekonstruktion
• Instrumentation Group: 7430 Analytische Bildauswertesysteme