Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d’Aquitaine (UMR5287)

Development and Neurobiology of Neural Networks - DN3

Overall, our common aim has been to decipher the neurobiological bases of the development and functional plasticity of motor control neural networks at the cellular, network and integrated system levels. Our main focus has been on locomotor (CPGs, OASM), vestibular (OASM), gaze control (OASM) and respiratory (OASM, CPGs) functions during early stages of development (embryonic, newborn and juvenile animals). For this, we use rodent and amphibian animal models that are amenable to in vitro and in vivo investigation with approaches ranging from neural activity measurements (unitary and multi-cellular electrophysiology, functional imaging) and anatomical investigations, to behavioral analyses on neural mechanisms underlying the development, organization and plasticity of sensory/motor systems, Motor neural networks, especially those implicated in producing relatively stereotyped, overt behaviors are comparatively accessible and analyzable with electrophysiological and anatomical approaches, which makes them tractable model systems for gaining a better understanding of the principles of neural network assembly, normal operation and pathological dysfunction.

During the last contractual period, our research has made important contributions to unraveling neural processes involved in (1), the development of brainstem and spinal cord motor networks responsible for respiration, locomotion, posture and gaze-stabilizing eye movements, and (2) , the functional coupling between different motor-to-motor, motor-to-sensory and sensory-to-motor circuits required for coordinating effective behavior. (3), We also developed several pathophysiological projects contributing to the Research unit self-assessment document Self-assessment TEAM 2 DN3 Evaluation campaign 2020-2021 - Group B Department of research evaluation 56 fundamental description of neural network development with the added potential of supporting pre-clinical investigations.

Overall, our future research aims constitute a logical extension of our current work on the development, modulation, coordination and plasticity of sensory-motor networks involved in the generation and regulation of automatic (breathing, locomotion) and non-automatic (gaze and posture stabilization) motor functions. Of particular relevance to this project is our ability to conduct multi-level studies, spanning from the cellular and synaptic to integrated network levels in vitro to in vivo behavioral analyses. Importantly, the synergy of team member skills will permit adapting our diverse experimental expertise – with different animal models (xenopus, mouse, rat) and methodologies (kinematics, electrophysiology, functional imaging, pharmacology, neuroanatomy) - to addressing convergent questions arising from the separate research projects within the team. This multi-faceted approach will be further enriched by the employment of novel experimental techniques (in vivo optogenetics, AniMotion platform, CLARITY anatomical procedure, etc…..) and new genetic models, some of which will serve both fundamental and translational research purposes.

Team composition

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Campus Carreire
Bâtiment 2A, Zone Nord
Université de Bordeaux (site Carreire)
146 rue Léo Saignat
Bordeaux

Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d’Aquitaine (UMR5287)

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