Description

A central question in neuroscience is how neurons establish synaptic connections at defined subcellular locations along their dendrites. While cell-surface adhesion molecules are known to mediate interactions between neurons, neural circuits assemble over time — with different neurons joining a circuit at distinct developmental stages. Whether the timing of dendritic territory occupation by different inputs shapes subcellular synaptic organization, and how distinct complements of cell-surface molecules are deployed to support these interactions to build discrete synaptic subcellular domains, remain largely unknown.

We will address this question by exploring, in vivo, the cellular interactions and molecular mechanisms that orchestrate subcellular synaptic distribution. As a model system, we will use T4 motion direction-selective neurons in the Drosophila optic lobe, the fly’s visual processing center.

T4 neurons provide an experimentally tractable system in which multiple presynaptic neuron types converge onto distinct compartments of a shared dendritic arbor. Each T4 neuron receives input from different upstream partners, with distinct neurotransmitter receptors (NTRs) localized to discrete dendritic domains, reflecting the spatial segregation of these inputs.

Skills required

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to investigate the mechanisms by which developing neurons establish synapses at precise subcellular locations during neural circuit assembly. What we value: •Technical Background: Prior experience working with Drosophila is advantageous, though not a requirement. •Scientific Curiosity: A genuine intellectual interest in neural circuit development and developmental neurobiology. •Collaborative Spirit: A team player who thrives in a supportive, international, and highly collaborative research environment.

Bibliography

Pinto-Teixeira, F. et al. Development of Concurrent Retinotopic Maps in the Fly Motion Detection Circuit. Cell. 2018

Sanfilippo P, Kim AJ, Bhukel A, Yoo J, Mirshahidi PS, Pandey V, Bevir H, Yuen A, Mirshahidi PS, Guo P, Li HS, Wohlschlegel JA, Aso Y, Zipursky SL. Mapping of multiple neurotransmitter receptor subtypes and distinct protein complexes to the connectome. Neuron. 2024

Takemura, S. Y. et al. A visual motion detection circuit suggested by Drosophila connectomics. Nature. 2013

Yannick Carrier*, Laura Quintana Rio*, Nadia Formicola, Vicente de Sousa-Xavier, Maha Tabet, Yu-Chieh David Chen, Aicha Haji Ali, Lisa Orts, Maeva Wislez, Alexander Borst, Filipe Pinto-Teixeira. Biased cell adhesion organizes the Drosophila visual motion integration circuit Developmental Cell 2024.

Keywords

Neural Circuit Development, Motion Detection, Subcellular Synaptic Connectivity, Live Imaging, Drosophila