Integrative Functional Mapping of Sensory-Motor Pathways

 描述(由申请人提供)：项目团队的目标是开发一个强大的、多实验室的研究框架，由大规模成像实现，这将导致与行为学相关的行为的原则性综合模型，其中包括对单个细胞类别的详细知识。该团队将解决的具体神经生物学问题是，大脑如何整合感觉信息，以引导特定方向的运动。我们的策略是利用果蝇系统地绘制和描述目标定向运动背后的神经回路，以便利用该物种可用的强大的遗传、光学、行为和分析工具的融合。该提案主要侧重于完善功能成像方法，以绘制完整、行为正常的动物对受控感觉刺激做出反应时，小脑区和单个神经元群体的活动图。我们已经构建了一个由七个相互关联的研究模块组成的战略计划，这些模块创建了一个发现流，从功能成像开始，以开发感官引导行为的综合模型结束。这项提议的目标是使所有研究单元达到未来研究所需的成熟程度。为了实现这一目标，该项目将开发健壮、定量和高通量的方法，用于：使用泛神经驱动器的功能性双光子成像。使用选定驱动器线的ArcLight成像。使用泛神经驱动器的功能性双光子成像。感觉运动通路的电路分析。以及感官引导运动的综合计算模型的计划。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of the project team is to develop a robust, multi-lab research framework, enabled by large scale imaging, which will lead to principled integrative models of ethologically-relevant behaviors that incorporate a detailed knowledge of individual cell classes. The specific neurobiological question that the team will address is how the brain integrates sensory information in order to guide locomotion in a particular direction. Our strategy is to systematically map and functionally characterize the neural circuits that underlie goal-directed locomotion, using the fruit fly, Drosophila, in order to exploit the convergence of powerful genetic, optical, behavioral, and analytical tools that are available in this species. The proposal focuses primarily on refining functional imaging approaches to map the activity of small brain regions and populations of individual neurons in intact, behaving animals while they respond to a controlled panel of sensory stimuli. We have constructed a strategic plan consisting of seven interrelated research modules that create a flow for discovery that starts with functional imaging and ends with the development of integrative models for sensory-guided behavior. The goal of this proposal is to bring all research modules to the requisite level of maturity for future research. To achieve this goal this project will develop robust, quantitative and high throughput methods for: Functional 2-photon imaging using pan-neural drivers. ArcLight imaging using selected driver lines. Functional 2-photon imaging using pan-neural drivers. Circuit analysis of sensory motor pathways. And a plan for an integrative computational model of sensory-guided locomotion.