哺乳动物新皮层功能的实现依赖于其内部神经网络的有序组织和顺利运转，其中 GABA能抑制性中间神经元与谷氨酸能兴奋性锥体神经元之间突触的有效传递对于运动皮层的功能至关重要。在以GABA能中间神经元和谷氨酸能锥体神经元为单位形成的神经网络中，GABA能中间神经元对于神经网络的形成及调节发挥了巨大作用，其发育的异常和多种疾病相关。研究GABA能中间神经元不同亚型在发育过程中对神经网络的形成及调节作用有助于加深对多种神经／精神疾病的认识。在本项目中，我们拟结合双光子光学成像、光遗传和电生理技术，以起源于外侧神经节突起区（lateral ganglion eminences，LGE）和内侧神经节突起区（medial ganglion eminences，MGE）的中间神经元为切入点，深入研究小鼠皮层环路发育过程中SST+抑制性神经元如何调控兴奋性神经元环路功能以及相关分子调控机制。

The neocortical development of many mammals goes in parallel with changes happening in the cortical anatomical and functional organization. In the network consisting of GABAergic interneurons and glutamatergic neurons (pyramidal cells), the communication between the inhibitory and excitatory signal defines the cortical function. Particularly, GABAergic interneurons play a great of importance in the regulation of network, the deficiency of which would lead to several neurological or psychiatric diseases. In this proposal, we will specifically focus on the development of somatostatin-expressing (SST+) cortical interneurons within lateral ganglion eminences (LGE) and medial ganglion eminences (MGE) regions of the neocortex. Combining with two photon imaging (photogenetics), dual-patch recording, we will explore the developmental events by which the SST+ interneuron population achieves its mature connectivity and examine how these cells contribute to the establishment of cortical architecture. Moreover, we will explore the molecular mechanism with single cell sequencing to find candidate factors, which are selectively expressed by SST+ cortical interneurons. Our findings will help to understand the etiology of neurological disorders and their relationship to aberrant cortical development such as epilepsy or schizophrenia.