Assembly and Function of Olfactory Circuitry from Dbxl-derived Neural Progenitors

描述（由申请人提供）：神经发育程序如何与成熟脑回路和相关行为的建立联系仍然是神经科学的核心问题。我们之前的研究表明，一类由同源域编码转录因子Dbx1的表达定义的神经祖细胞，专门用于包括嗅球在内的边缘系统神经元亚群的产生。基于这些发现，我们假设位于不同胚胎生态位的Dbx1+祖细胞产生了一个功能独特的嗅球输出神经元的相互连接子集，这些神经元致力于处理先天行为子集。这一假设的检验将通过多学科方法的结合来完成，包括遗传命运图谱、光遗传学和先天行为测试。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): How neural developmental programs are linked to the establishment of mature brain circuits and related behavior remains a central question of neuroscience. Our previous studies revealed that a class of neural progenitors defined by the expression of the homeodomain encoding transcription factor, Dbx1, are dedicated for the generation of subsets of neurons of the limbic system including the olfactory bulb. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that Dbx1+ progenitors located in a distinct embryonic niche generate a functionally distinct interconnected subset of olfactory bulb output neurons that are dedicated to the processing of subsets of innate behaviors. Testing of this hypothesis will be accomplished using a combination of multidisciplinary approaches including genetic fate mapping, optogenetics and innate behavioral testing.