Neural circuits underlying parental behaviour. (360G-Wellcome-106096_Z_14_Z)

£250,000

The aim of my proposed research programme is to uncover the neural circuit logic underlying parental behaviour. Galanin-expressing (Gal+) neurons in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) were recently shown to control parental behaviour in male and female mice. At the initial stage of the project I will trace the axonal projections and presynaptic partners of MPOA Gal+ neurons and characterize the input-output relationships and functional diversity of this population in both sexes (Aim 1). Subsequentl y, I will use optogenetic stimulation to investigate which MPOA Gal+ target areas control parental behaviour and whether different MPOA Gal+ neurons control discrete aspects of parental behaviour, such as pup retrieval, grooming or nursing (Aim 2). Finally, I will perform high-resolution functional mapping of parenting circuits in virgin males and fathers to reveal how social experience affects the structure and function of these circuits (Aim 3). These experiments aim to obtain a mechanistic un derstanding of parental behaviour at the level of neural networks.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 250000
Applicant Surname Kohl
Approval Committee Basic Science Interview Committee
Award Date 2014-11-19T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2014/15
Grant Programme: Title Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship
Internal ID 106096/Z/14/Z
Lead Applicant Dr Johannes Kohl
Partnership Value 250000
Planned Dates: End Date 2016-06-30T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2015-12-17T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region South West
Sponsor(s) Dr Michael Hastings