Laboratorio Circuitos Neuronales

Characterizing and manipulating epileptogenic microcircuits

One of the major obstacles in developing novel antiepileptic therapies is that our understanding of the synaptic rules governing epileptic microcircuits still remains rudimentary. In this project we aim to characterize and manipulate epileptogenic microcircuits using experimental models of temporal lobe epilepsy in rodents. The project inserts into our current ongoing work to identify genes differentially expressed in deep and superficial layers of the hippocampus and along the proximal to distal aspects according to the typical input patterns from the septum and entorhinal cortex. We will identify suitable promotors for sub-type specific manipulation of the different neuronal populations with optogenetic and chemogenetic tools. We will also characterize and exploit available sub-type specific Cre lines (mice and/or rats) to manipulate microcircuits specifically.

The project will target ongoing work in the lab and will eventually help the student to get in contact with some of a wide pallette of techniques including:

- RNAseq data aimed to identify regionalized genes along the hippocampal structure

- In utero electroporation and viral injections aimed to target deep/superficial cells accoridng to their developmental profile

- Viral strategies aimed to express optogenetic and chemogenetic actuators

- Immunostaining techniques for cell-type specific profiling

- Confocal imaging and analysis of neuronal populations

- Simple electrophysiology and behaviour

The details of the project and the specific question too be tested need to be discussed in advance to better shape the lab ongoing workflow and the expertize and interest of the student. Due to the nature of the project and space limmitations, we encourage students to contact us in advance.