Oportunidades de Estágio

Nome da entidade: ICVS – Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, Escola de Medicina, Universidade do Minho

Morada de realização do estágio: Escola de Medicina, Campus de Gualtar, Universidade do Minho

Área: Neurociência, Microeletrónica e/ou Análise de Sinal (eletrofisiologia e imagiologia)

Tipo de Estágio: Híbrido

Descrição da Empresa: In recent years, an exciting body of evidence has challenged the classical paradigm that brain information processing is exclusively neuronal. Indeed, the importance of astrocytes (star-shaped, about 20% of all brain cells) is rising due to emerging data describing dynamic neuron-glia interactions. Nevertheless, little is known about the involvement of astrocytes in the circuit computation of complex behavior outputs. Our laboratory has been working on this topic (e.g., Lima et al. 2014 Molecular Psychiatry IF=14.5). We showed recently that the blockade of neurotransmitter release by astrocytes in vivo to induces loss of neuronal oscillations theta synchrony, affecting learning and memory (work of Vanessa Sardinha, former Biomedical Engineering MSc student: Sardinha et al., 2017 Glia IF=8.1). We recently produced a worldwide consensus statement on the role of astrocytes in health and disease contexts (Escartin et al. 2021 Nature Neuroscience IF=24.9). Our lab uses rodent models to record and manipulate neuronal networks in freely behaving animals. This technique is unique in the study of astrocyte function worldwide. We also manipulate brain circuits using behavioral, optogenetic, and chemogenetic methods and assess the results by recording neural activity with 32-channel silicon probes.

Descrição da função do estagiário: By assessing its neural signatures during learning and memory tasks, we expect to dissect the net role of astrocytes in these functions. These results will ultimately provide insights into the roles of astrocytes in the human brain in health and in the context of depression. This project aims to elucidate the role of astrocytes in the function of cortico-hippocampal circuits underlying depression, employing neuronal recordings in vivo. The work plan may include (to be discussed with the student) all the experimentation from (1) manipulation and testing of animal models and electrophysiological techniques to record spikes and local field potentials in anesthetized or freely behaving animals; (2) analysis and interpretation of results linked to the behavioral performance of mice. This way, the student will benefit from a flexible experimental approach, including electrode construction, surgery, electrophysiological recording, behavioral analysis, and signal analysis and interpretation. Our laboratory has all the equipment, technical requirements, and reagents available for the project. This project is part of our recently funded laCaixa Foundation Grant to study the physiology of cortico-limbic circuits involved in cognition and depression. The overall budget is 0.5 million euros and includes support to carry out these MSc dissertations and fellowships to pursue a PhD. More information under: https://fundacionlacaixa.org/en/caixaresearch-health-call-2021-project-depression-therapies

Período durante o qual o estudante poderá realizar: De Junho a Setembro, a discutir posteriormente

Carga horária: Dia completo, a discutir com os estudantes

Número de vagas: 2