Dendritic integration in multi-tufted mitral cells

描述（由候选人提供）：该项目的总体目标是了解副嗅球（AOB）的多簇二尖瓣细胞如何仅为特定的菌株和性别组合产生选择性输出。虽然受体的特性肯定有助于二尖瓣细胞的选择性，但任何神经元识别和响应某些特征组合的能力从根本上取决于树突整合。为此，我们将利用体外全细胞生理学和钙成像相结合的方法研究AOB二尖瓣细胞的时空整合特性。这将有助于我们了解神经元用来产生对特定活动模式有选择性的反应的计算机制和策略。通过加深我们对感觉神经元如何处理信息和表征世界的理解，我们可能最终能够确定影响化学感觉外周处理以及其他疾病的治疗靶点。

DESCRIPTION (provided by candidate): The overall goal of this project is to understand how multitufted mitral cells of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) generate selective outputs for only specific combinations of strain and sex. Although receptor properties certainly contribute to mitral cell selectivity, the ability of any neuron to recognize and respond to certain combinations of features depends fundamentally on dendritic integration. Toward this end, we will investigate temporal and spatial integration properties in AOB mitral cells using a combination of in vitro whole cell physiology and calcium imaging. This will contribute to our knowledge of the computational mechanisms and strategies that neurons use to generate responses that are selective for specific activity patterns. By deepening our understanding of how sensory neurons process information and represent the world, we may ultimately be able to identify therapeutic targets for diseases that affect peripheral processing in the chemical senses, as well as others.