A5007641436- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications
- Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- RNA Research and Splicing
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Vestibular and auditory disorders
- Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
- Electrochemical Analysis and Applications
- Visual perception and processing mechanisms
- Advanced Memory and Neural Computing
- Genomic variations and chromosomal abnormalities
- Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Chemical Synthesis and Analysis
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
Sainsbury Wellcome Centre
2017-2024
University College London
2012-2024
University of Caldas
2024
Hospital de Egas Moniz
2024
Centro Hospitalar do Tâmega e Sousa
2023
Hospital de Santa Maria
2022-2023
Hospital Fernández
2023
University of Lisbon
2023
Sainsbury Laboratory
2020-2022
Hospital Prof. Dr. Fernando Fonseca
2022
Molecular and cellular processes in neurons are critical for sensing responding to energy deficit states, such as during weight-loss. Agouti related protein (AGRP)-expressing a key hypothalamic population that is activated increases appetite weight-gain. Cell type-specific transcriptomics can be used identify pathways counteract weight-loss, here we report high-quality gene expression profiles of AGRP from well-fed food-deprived young adult mice. For comparison, also analyzed...
Three-dimensional (3D) digital brain atlases and high-throughput brain-wide imaging techniques generate large multidimensional datasets that can be registered to a common reference frame. Generating insights from such depends critically on visualization interactive data exploration, but this challenging task. Currently available software is dedicated single atlases, model species or types, generating 3D renderings merge anatomically diverse sources requires extensive development programming...
Synapse-specific vesicle pools have been widely characterized at central terminals. Here, we demonstrate a pool that is not confined to synapse but spans multiple Using fluorescence imaging, correlative electron microscopy, and modeling of dynamics, show some recycling vesicles synapses form part larger "superpool." The within this superpool are highly mobile rapidly exchanged between terminals (turnover: ∼4% total pool/min), significantly changing vesicular composition over time. In acute...
Tonic inhibition is a key regulator of neuronal excitability and network function in the brain, but its role sensory information processing remains poorly understood. The cerebellum favorable model system for addressing this question as granule cells, which form input layer cerebellar cortex, permit high-resolution patch-clamp recordings vivo , are only neurons cortex that express α6δ-containing GABA A receptors mediating tonic inhibition. We investigated how regulates transmission rat by...
Instinctive defensive behaviors are essential for animal survival. Across the kingdom, there sensory stimuli that innately represent threat and trigger stereotyped such as escape or freezing [1Blanchard R.J. Blanchard D.C. Rodgers J. Weiss S.M. The characterization modelling of antipredator behavior.Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 1990; 14: 463-472Crossref PubMed Scopus (288) Google Scholar, 2De Franceschi G. Vivattanasarn T. Saleem A.B. Solomon S.G. Vision guides selection freeze flight defense...
Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) plays a crucial role in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies, since it misfolds accumulates typical proteinaceous inclusions. While the function of aSyn is thought to be related vesicle binding trafficking, precise molecular mechanisms linking with synucleinopathies are still obscure. can spread prion-like manner between interconnected neurons, contributing propagation pathology progressive nature synucleinopathies. Here, we investigated interaction...
To successfully navigate the environment, animals depend on their ability to continuously track heading direction and speed. Neurons that encode angular head velocity (AHV) are fundamental this process, yet contribution of various motion signals AHV coding in cortex remains elusive. By performing chronic single-unit recordings retrosplenial (RSP) mouse tracking activity individual cells between freely moving head-restrained conditions, we find vestibular inputs dominate signaling. Moreover,...
Animals can choose to act upon, or ignore, sensory stimuli, depending on circumstance and prior knowledge. This flexibility is thought depend neural inhibition, through suppression of inappropriate disinhibition appropriate actions. Here, we identified the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN), an inhibitory prethalamic area, as a critical node for control visually evoked defensive responses in mice. The activity vLGN projections medial superior colliculus (mSC) modulated by previous...
Abstract High-resolution whole-brain microscopy provides a means for post hoc determination of the location implanted devices and labelled cell populations that are necessary to interpret in vivo experiments designed understand brain function. Here we have developed two plugins (brainreg brainreg-segment) Python-based image viewer napari, accurately map any object common coordinate space. We analysed position dye-labelled electrode tracks two-photon imaged expressing fluorescent proteins....
Significance Cellular and subcellular structures in thick biological samples typically are visualized either by genetically encoded fluorescent proteins or antibody staining against of interest. However, both approaches have drawbacks. Fluorescent do not survive treatments for tissue preservation well, available only a few colors, often emit weak signals. Antibody stainings slow, penetrate result considerable background staining. We overcome these limitations using chemical tags that rapid,...
Neuroscientists routinely perform experiments aimed at recording or manipulating neural activity, uncovering physiological processes underlying brain function elucidating aspects of anatomy.Understanding how the generates behaviour ultimately depends on merging results these into a unified picture anatomy and function.Brain atlases are crucial in this endeavour: by outlining organization regions they provide reference upon which our understanding can be anchored.More recently, digital...
In many instances, external sensory-evoked neuronal activity is used by the brain to select most appropriate behavioral response. Predator-avoidance behaviors such as freezing and escape1,2 are of particular interest since these stimulus-evoked responses manifestations a decision-making process that fundamental survival.3,4 Over lifespan an individual, however, threat value agents in environment believed undergo constant revision,5 some cases, repeated avoidance certain stimuli may no longer...
Release probability (p(r)) is a fundamental presynaptic parameter which critical in defining synaptic strength. Knowledge of how synapses set and regulate their p(r) step understanding transmission communication between neurons. Despite its importance, difficult to measure directly at single synapses. One important strategy achieve this has relied on the application fluorescence-based imaging methods, but always limited by lack detailed information morphological structural properties...
Escape behavior is a set of locomotor actions that move an animal away from threat. While these can be stereotyped, it advantageous for survival they are flexible.1Evans D.A. Stempel A.V. Vale R. Branco T. Cognitive control escape behaviour.Trends Cogn. Sci. 2019; 23: 334-348Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (84) Google Scholar,2Edwards D.H. Heitler W.J. Krasne F.B. Fifty years command neuron: The neurobiology in the crayfish.Trends Neurosci. 1999; 22: 153-161Abstract (260) Scholar,3Peek...
Mammals form mental maps of the environments by exploring their surroundings. Here, we investigate which elements exploration are important for this process. We studied mouse escape behavior, in mice known to memorize subgoal locations-obstacle edges-to execute efficient routes shelter. To test role exploratory actions, developed closed-loop neural-stimulation protocols interrupting various actions while explored. found that blocking running movements directed at obstacle edges prevented...