Analyzing the Role of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Contextual Fear Memory

这个培训和研究奖项将为候选人作为一个独立的分子和 行为神经学家使用严格的行为测试和基因操作来分析大脑 学习和记忆的基础电路。应聘者是一名实验心理学家，具有显著的 动物学习领域的经验。在该奖项的培训(K99)阶段，现已完成， 应聘者(1)具备分子遗传学和定量显微镜方面的实验室技能；(2) 扩大了他在分子基因组学和翻译神经科学方面的知识，这样他就可以独立 发展新的科学思想，将他的研究成果与现有知识相结合，并将它们联系起来 临床实践；(3)对实践中固有的伦理问题有了强烈的理解 理科；以及(4)在一所主要研究型大学获得了终身教职。无党派人士 奖项的(Roo)阶段将提供支持，因为候选人建立了独立研究 旨在阐明成年海马区神经发生促进的机制 学习和记忆。成年海马体保留了产生神经元的能力，并迅速生长 文献证明，成年出生的神经元具有重要的功能。这位候选人已经表明， 例如，使用辐射或可诱导的基因方法阻止海马神经发生损害 情境恐惧制约，是有机体对环境产生恐惧的一种普遍的学习形式 预示着伤害的东西。使用情境恐惧条件反射作为模型系统，拟议的研究将使用 有针对性的照射和基因操作，以分析成年出生的神经元如何对习得做出贡献， 记忆的保留和找回。

This training and research award will prepare the candidate for an independent career as a molecular and behavioral neuroscientist using rigorous behavioral tesfing and genefic manipulafions to analyze the brain circuits underlying learning and memory. The candidate is an experimental psychologist with significant experience in the area of animal learning. In the training (K99) phase of the award, which is now complete, the candidate (1) developed laboratory skills in molecular genetics and quantitative microscopy; (2) expanded his knowledge of molecular genefics and translational neuroscience so that he can independently develop novel scientific ideas, integrate his research findings with exisfing knowledge, and relate them to clinical practice; (3) developed a strong understanding of the ethical issues inherent in the pracfice of science; and (4) secured a tenure-track faculty position at a major research university. The independent (ROO) phase of the award will provide support as the candidate establishes an independent research program aimed at elucidafing mechanisms through which adult hippocampal neurogenesis contributes to learning and memory. The adult hippocampus retains the ability to generate neurons, and a rapidly growing literature documents that adult-born neurons are funcfionally significant. The candidate has shown, for instance, that blocking hippocampal neurogenesis using irradiafion or an inducible genefic method impairs contextual fear condifioning, a ubiquitous form of learning in which organisms acquire fear of environments that predict harm. Using contextual fear conditioning as a model system, the proposed research will use targeted irradiation and genetic manipulations to analyze how adult-born neurons contribute to acquisition, retenfion, and retrieval of memories.