Neuroimmune Interactions in the Visual Cortex During Development

9600974 Naegele了解导致神经系统中精确连接形成的细胞和分子过程是神经科学的主要任务之一。 这个建议是针对一般问题的一个关键方面：胚胎大脑中神经元活动，竞争和细胞间竞争的作用。 重塑胚胎中形成的初始连接是发育过程中完善功能性大脑回路过程的重要组成部分。 很少有研究涉及免疫系统在这些过程中的作用。 这项提议旨在探索特殊细胞的作用，这种小胶质细胞通常充当清道夫，攻击患病或受损细胞。 这项提议的工作假设是，小胶质细胞和相关的免疫系统分子可能在发育期间神经连接的完善中发挥作用。 这项研究计划，作为一个职业奖，将涉及在实验室的本科生参与。

9600974 Naegele Understanding the cellular and molecular processes that lead to the formation of precise connections in the nervous system is one of the major tasks of neuroscience. This proposal is directed to one key aspect of the general problem: the role of neuronal activity, competition and cell-cell competition in the embryonic brain. Remodelling of the initial connections made in the embryo is an important part of the process by which the functioning brain circuits are refined during development. Few studies have addressed the role of the immune system in these processes. This proposal seeks to explore the role of special cells, the microglia that typically act as scavengers , attacking diseased or damaged cells. The working hypothesis for this proposal is that the microglia and associated immune system molecules may play a part in the refinement of neural connections during development. This research program, as a Career award, will involve undergraduate participation in the laboratory.