Date : 15/09/2010

Laboratory
Avenir/ATIP team Claire Wyart
Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle (ICM),
Centre de recherche CNRS/INSERM
47 bld de l'Hôpital 75013 PARIS
Director : Mr Yves Agid
Main discipline : Biophysics
http://www.lps.ens.fr

PhD Supervisor
Claire Wyart
email : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
phone : +33 6 61 86 60 13

Subjects
1.: Locomotion
2.: neuronal networks
3.: Behavior

Tools-Methodologies
1.: optogenetic
2.: in vivo imaging
3.: light gated channels

Summary of labs interests

The laboratory is interested in dissecting the circuits underlying locomotion in a "simple" Vertebrate: the zebrafish larvae.
We have developed optogenetic tools in the past for manipulating the function of single cell types and demonstrating their role in triggering specific type of locomotion (Szobota et al 2007, Wyart et al 2009, Janoviak et al 2010).
We are now interested in using similar approaches for understanding the origin of transitions during a locomotor pattern, and the ways to re-induce activity, and locomotion, after spinal cord injury.

Summary of the project

The project aims at understanding the circuits of slow locomotion induced by the recruitment of cerebrospinal fluid contacting neurons. We have shown in the past that the activation of these cells lead to a typical slow locomotion in the zebrafish larva.
We will now investigate the sensory modality of these cells, the way they are recruited, and their synaptic targets in order to fully understand the "slow swim circuit" of the animal.
This project requires that the student shows interest in new technologies, imaging techniques and behavior. We re looking for enthusiastic fellows with a sense of adventure.