RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY

  • Software Tools

  • Astromnesis ERC project

    Our Astromnenis project targets the « language of astrocytes » to understand astrocyte communication and its role in memory-related brain operations and cognitive behavior. To this end we perform four complementary levels of analysis using innovative methodologies to obtain unprecedented results:

    • The subcellular organization of astrocytes that underlies local microdomain communication using correlative light-electron microscopy.
    • The way individual astrocytes integrate inputs and control synaptic ensembles using 3D two-photon imaging, genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators, optogenetics and electrophysiology.
    • The contribution of astrocyte ensembles to behavior-relevant circuit operations using miniaturized microscopes that capture neuronal-glia population dynamics in freely moving mice during cognitive tasks, as well as in vivo two-photon imaging during virtual reality-based tasks.
    • The contribution of astrocytic signaling to cognitive behavior using mouse genetics with a new set of lines containing conditional modifications of astrocyte signaling pathways.
  • Astrocyte-synapse signaling: mechanistic contribution to brain pathologies (Swiss National Science Foundation)

    It is increasingly reported that astrocytes play a fundamental role in various brain pathologies such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases, epilepsy, etc. We study how the reactive state of astrocytes and alterations in gliotransmission in pathological conditions modify the functioning of hippocampal circuits.

  • Swiss National Centers of Competence in Research (NCCRs) projects

    Our lab is exploring how astrocyte vesicular transporter-dependent transmitter release influences physiological and pathological (e.g. epilepsy) CNS functions

     

     

     

    NCCR-Synapsy

    We are investigating how astrocyte-neuron communication influences decision-making and whether this could impact anxious depressive states.