CORTEX SIMPLEX

Function and computation in three-layer cortex

Coordinatore	MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V.    more Spiacenti, non ci sono informazioni su questo coordinatore. Contattare Fabio per maggiori infomrazioni, grazie.
Nazionalità Coordinatore	Germany [DE]
Totale costo	2˙496˙111 €
EC contributo	2˙496˙111 €
Programma	FP7-IDEAS-ERC Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
Code Call	ERC-2012-ADG_20120314
Funding Scheme	ERC-AG
Anno di inizio	2013
Periodo (anno-mese-giorno)	2013-02-01   -   2018-01-31

 Partecipanti

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V.  Organization address address: Hofgartenstrasse 8 city: MUENCHEN postcode: 80539 contact info Titolo: Dr. Nome: Antje Cognome: Berken Email: send email Telefono: +49 69 850033 2002 Fax: +49 69 850033 19	DE (MUENCHEN)	hostInstitution	2˙496˙111.00
2	MAX PLANCK GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN E.V.  Organization address address: Hofgartenstrasse 8 city: MUENCHEN postcode: 80539 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Gilles Jean Cognome: Laurent Email: send email Telefono: +49 69 5068202000 Fax: +49 69 5068202002	DE (MUENCHEN)	hostInstitution	2˙496˙111.00

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Understanding brain function is one of the outstanding challenges of modern biology. Many studies focus on mammalian neocortex, a modular and versatile structure that operates equally well with different sensory inputs and for perception, planning as well as action. Neocortex, however, is remarkably complex. It contains many cell types, six layers, networks with local and long-range connections, and its study is technically challenging. We propose here to address central issues of cortical computation using a simpler experimental system. Neocortex evolved from a more primitive cortex, likely present in the ancestors of all amniotes. Extant reptiles are closest to this putative ancestor: their cortex contains only three layers, two of which are nearly exclusively neuropilar. Reptilian cortex is also closest to mammals’ old cortices (piriform and hippocampus). Like in mammals, reptilian cortex is modular. Its design, however, is considerably simpler and more ubiquitous than in mammals. Indeed, so far as we know, reptilian primary olfactory and visual cortices are very similar to one another. Finally, certain reptiles such as turtles have evolved biochemical and metabolic adaptations to resist long periods of anoxia. Thus, their brains can be studied ex vivo over long periods, giving experimenters access to the entire brain with an intact retina or nasal epithelium. We will use this system to study cortical computation, primarily in visual and olfactory areas. Using electrophysiological, imaging, molecular, behavioral and computational methods, we will discover the representational strategies of these two cortices in vivo, the functional architecture of their microcircuits and the computations that they carry out. This understanding of generic and ancient units of cortical computation will illuminate our studies of more complex and sophisticated cortical circuits.'