Elucidating the neural basis of active sensing in the cerebellar cortex (360G-Wellcome-204717_Z_16_Z)

The cerebellum is a core structure in sensorimotor integration, receiving converging sensory and motor input and sending output to premotor regions. It thus sits at an ideal place to determine mechanisms by which the brain transforms sensorimotor information into a code that controls behaviour. However, our understanding of how the cerebellar cortex encodes sensory inputs in the context of motor activity is far from established because most studies of sensory processing have been performed under anaesthesia when sensors are immobile. This proposed research aims to elucidate fundamental computations (i.e. neural codes) and underlying mechanisms (i.e. circuitry implementation) that govern information processing in cerebellar circuits during active sensing, both at the cellular and systems neuroscience level. What sensory and motor variables are represented in cerebellar circuits during active sensing? How sensory-motor signals are transformed within the cerebellar cortex? What neuronal mechanisms underlie sensorimotor integration in the cerebellum? I will take advantage of a well-defined sensorimotor model, the mouse whisker system, to tackle these key questions. By studying the neural basis of active sensing in the cerebellum, I hope to build an integrated model of the circuitry that incorporates a greater understanding of neuronal computations and mechanisms during behaviour.