Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: STÉFANO PUPE JOHANN

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
DISCENTE: STÉFANO PUPE JOHANN
DATA: 23/02/2015
HORA: 10:00
LOCAL: INSTITUTO DO CÉREBRO
TÍTULO:

Ex Uno Plures: On the use of transgenic mice and optogenetics to characterize genetically defined subpopulations of neurons

PALAVRAS-CHAVES:

Área Tegmental Ventral, Núcleo Subtâlamico, Promotores, Optogenética

PÁGINAS: 130
GRANDE ÁREA: Ciências Biológicas
ÁREA: Fisiologia
RESUMO:

 Neuroscientists have a variety of perspectives with which to classify different parts of the brain. With the rise of genetic-based techniques such as optogenetics, it is increasingly important to identify whether a group of cells, defined by morphology, function or anatomical location possesses a distinct pattern of expression of one or more genetic promoters. This would allow for better ways to study of these genetically defined subpopulations of neurons. In this work, I present a theoretical discussion and three experimental studies in which this was the main question being addressed. Paper I discusses the issues involved in selecting a promoter to study structures and subpopulations in the Ventral Tegmental Area. Paper II characterizes a subpopulation of cells in the Ventral Tegmental Area that shares the expression of a promoter and is anatomically very restricted, and induces aversion when stimulated. Paper III utilizes a similar strategy to investigate a subpopulation in the subthalamic nucleus that expresses PITX2 and VGLUT2 which, when inactivated, causes hyperlocomotion. Paper IV exploits the fact that a previously identified group of cells in the ventral hippocampus expresses CHRNA2, and indicates that this population may be necessary and sufficient for the establishment of the theta rhythm (2-8 Hz) in the Local Field Potential of anesthetized mice. All of these studies were guided by the same strategy of characterizing and studying the role of a genetically defined subpopulation of cells, and they demonstrate the different ways in which this approach can generate new discoveries.

MEMBROS DA BANCA:
Interno - 1764910 - GEORGE CARLOS DO NASCIMENTO
Interno - 1871878 - KERSTIN ERIKA SCHMIDT
Presidente - 1824636 - RICHARDSON NAVES LEAO