Abstract
Chandelier cells are GABAergic interneurons which can receive inputs from distal brain regions and synapse onto hundreds of nearby excitatory cells, precisely targeting their action initial segment (AIS), which is the site of action potential initiation. They can thus exert a powerful control over the output of a cortical network, and have been suggested to play a key role in organising the flow of information across the brain into a hierarchical structure. This project will measure and manipulate the activity of chandelier cells using 2-photon calcium imaging with simultaneous optogenetic perturbations, while mice perform a flexible cognitive task.
References
1. Taniguchi H, Lu J, Huang ZJ: The spatial and temporal origin of chandelier cells in mouse neocortex. Science 2013, 339:70–74.
2. Lu J, Tucciarone J, Padilla-Coreano N, He M, Gordon JA, Huang ZJ: Selective inhibitory control of pyramidal neuron ensembles and cortical subnetworks by chandelier cells. Nat Neurosci 2017, 20:1377–1383.
3. Poort J, Khan AG, Pachitariu M, Nemri A, Orsolic I, Krupic J, Bauza M, Sahani M, Keller GB, Mrsic-Flogel TD, et al.: Learning Enhances Sensory and Multiple Non-sensory Representations in Primary Visual Cortex. Neuron 2015, 86:1478–1490.
4. Khan AG, Poort J, Chadwick A, Blot A, Sahani M, Mrsic-Flogel TD, Hofer SB: Distinct learning-induced changes in stimulus selectivity and interactions of GABAergic interneuron classes in visual cortex. Nat Neurosci 2018, doi:10.1038/s41593-018-0143-z.