Supervosor: Susanna Mierau
Co Supervisor: Ole Paulsen
Development of Functional Connectivity in Cortical Networks
The fundamental rules that govern the development of functional neural networks in the cortex can be recapitulated in primary neuronal cultures. We will use two-photon calcium imaging to study how neural networks form at the cellular scale with cell-type specificity. We will also use this model to study how the maturation of functional cortical networks is altered by the genetic changes that lead to Rett syndrome and some cases of Autism Spectrum Disorder, with the ultimate goal of identifying new therapeutic targets.
Relevant references:
1. Micro-connectomics: probing the organization of neuronal networks at the cellular scale. Schröter M, Paulsen O, Bullmore ET. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2017 Mar;18(3):131-146.
2. Emergence of rich-club topology and coordinated dynamics in development of hippocampal functional networks in vitro. Schroeter MS, Charlesworth P, Kitzbichler MG, Paulsen O, Bullmore ET. J Neurosci. 2015 Apr 8;35(14):5459-70.
3. Cell-Specific Regulation of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Maturation by Mecp2 in Cortical Circuits. Mierau SB, Patrizi A, Hensch TK, Fagiolini M. Biol Psychiatry. 2016 May 1;79(9):746-754.