Astrocyte Regulation of Synaptic Partner Matching in Developing Neural Circuits

Abstract

This research seeks to address a gap in our understanding of how brains acquire their complex neural wiring diagram, a system comprised of billions of neurons that find and connect with appropriate partners to form neural circuits. Current research to understand how these neural circuits are formed is based on neuron-neuron interactions, excluding supportive glial cells, an abundant non-neuronal cell in the nervous system. Dr. von Reyn and Dr. Garcia’s proposal digs into the question of why astrocytes, a type of glial cell, express genes that have been implicated in neuronal wiring and the impact of astrocyte-neuron interaction on neural circuit formation. The experimental design of this proposal utilizes both vertebrate and invertebrate astrocytes in a parallel approach to identify wiring principles that are conserved between species. This research has implications in developing innovative strategies to mitigate nervous system dysfunction and promote neural circuit repair. The Scientific Advisory Board noted that this proposal provided strong preliminary data for both aims, and a series of well-designed experimental strategies are presented for the proposed research.

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