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SUMMARY:&quot\;Breaking symmetry in the brain –  from genes to circuits 
 and behaviour&quot\; - Steve Wilson\, University College London
DTSTART:20160222T163000Z
DTEND:20160222T180000Z
UID:TALK62800@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Lyn Dakin
DESCRIPTION:“Although the nervous systems of probably all bilaterian ani
 mals are left right asymmetric\, we know relatively little about how such 
 asymmetries are established or encoded in neural circuits.  Research from 
 our lab has helped to establish the zebrafish as a good model in which to 
 study the development of brain asymmetry.   We have shown that breaking of
  symmetry and allocation of handedness to the asymmetry are separable proc
 esses and that Nodal\, Wnt and Fgf pathways together break symmetry and de
 termine its laterality.   Complementing genetic studies\, we are analyzing
  the developmental neuroanatomy of the brain\, particularly with respect t
 o asymmetric circuitry.   For instance\, we have shown that the left and r
 ight habenular nuclei project to different regions of their target nucleus
 \, and that for individual neurons\, left-right asymmetry is manifest as d
 ifferences in axon terminal morphology and targeting.  \n\nThese neuroanat
 omical studies underpin research that aims to link circuitry to neuronal a
 ctivity and behaviour.   One major challenge is to identify complex behavi
 ours that are sufficiently robust to be amenable to both genetic and neuro
 anatomical interrogation.  To this end\, we\, and others\, are developing 
 assays for simple learning and fear responses and social interactions in f
 ry.  Coupled to analysing behaviour\, our lab is using genetic/optogenetic
  approaches to interrogate neuronal activity in lateralised brain nuclei. 
  We have recently found that the left and right habenulae respond to diffe
 rent sensory stimuli and that loss of brain asymmetry impairs the ability 
 to respond to such stimuli.  The long-term goal of our research is to be a
 ble to move from genes through developmental mechanisms to circuits and be
 haviour in the intact developing animal.  \n\nThe UCL zebrafish website wi
 ll give you more details of some of our lab’s research projects and publ
 ications (www.ucl.ac.uk/zebrafish-group/).”\n
LOCATION:The Hodgkin Huxley Seminar Room\, Department of Physiology Develo
 pment and Neuroscience
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