Function of adult generated olfactory bulb interneurons

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The adult olfactory bulb (OB) undergoes a continuous remodelling by way of integration of new-born interneurons, mainly glomerular neurons (GNs) and granule cells (GCs), whereas the principal mitral and tufted cells remain stable. The function of these adult-born interneurons in the OB network is not yet fully understood. These interneurons exhibit substantial diversity with respect to their final destination within the OB circuitry, their transmitter identity and neurochemical properties suggesting that they exert different functions. Here we propose a combined effort to analyse the molecular mechanisms responsible for the specification of adult generated OB interneurons and their physiological properties, in order to better understand their unique contribution to olfactory processing. In particular we aim at: (i) understanding the functional role of the dopaminergic subclass of GNs and the molecular mechanisms regulating their turnover and (ii) characterizing the synaptic connectivity of adult-generated neurons with other OB interneurons, in particular GNs, using novel tracing techniques.