Information about chemical structure is encoded by 1000 populations of olfactory sensory neurons, each of which projects to defined glomeruli in the olfactory bulb. Each glomerulus and associated olfactory bulb neurons are thought to be functional units in olfactory processing. Understanding the functional connections among neurons in the olfactory bulb is critical to understanding how the olfactory system works. While traditional anatomical techniques can reveal the structure of neuronal circuits, determining which nerve cells actually communicate with one another in a complex circuit is more challenging. The goal of this proposal is to develop an optogenetic approach to map functional circuits in the mouse olfactory bulb. Using gene targeting, we are expressing a light-activated channel in genetically-defined populations of neurons, allowing us to selectively activate glomeruli using light. Using this photostimulation-based approach, we are mapping the receptive fields of olfactory bulb neurons and determining whether neurons associated with a specific glomerulus are functionally similar. The research described here will allow us to address fundamental questions about sensory processing that are not possible to address using available techniques. The methods that we develop will also be useful map circuits in other parts of the mammalian brain.

Public Health Relevance

We propose to apply novel optogenetic technologies to map neuronal circuits in the mammalian olfactory system using light. The research described here will allow us to address fundamental questions about sensory processing that were previously not possible to address using traditional techniques.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21DC010911-01
Application #
7876529
Study Section
Somatosensory and Chemosensory Systems Study Section (SCS)
Program Officer
Davis, Barry
Project Start
2010-05-18
Project End
2012-04-30
Budget Start
2010-05-18
Budget End
2011-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$228,750
Indirect Cost
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
160079455
City
Evanston
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60201
Smear, Matthew; Resulaj, Admir; Zhang, Jingji et al. (2013) Multiple perceptible signals from a single olfactory glomerulus. Nat Neurosci 16:1687-91
Smear, Matthew; Shusterman, Roman; O'Connor, Rodney et al. (2011) Perception of sniff phase in mouse olfaction. Nature 479:397-400