Robert is a 5^th year PhD candidate in Neurobiology in Prof. Binshtok Alex from the department of Medical Neurobiology. Robert is researching mechanisms of transduction, action potential initiation and plasticity, at the free nerve endings of nociceptors. He implements advanced imaging techniques, while recording noxious stimuli induced neuronal signals in peripheral nociceptive nerve terminals innervating the mouse cornea, in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, these studies are accompanied with neuronal computational models for validation and behavioral assays for preclinical pathological significance.

Abstract

Our sensation of pain begins with the neuronal response of specialized sensory nerve terminals to noxious stimuli. Although this is a well understood process, it is puzzling why one experiences the same stimulus as moderate or intense pain, depending on context. In our paper we describe the previously unknown location of action potential generation in nociceptor terminals. Furthermore, we found that change in the site of action potential initiation during inflammatory conditions, can encode how pain is experienced. Providing an explanation to why pain sensitivity can increase, such that even a light touch near a sore can produce severe pain.

Figure 6. Scheme Depicting Capsaicin-Induced Signal Generation in Nociceptive Terminals and Fibers. Left: in normal conditions, application of capsaicin on the nociceptive terminal tip evokes activation of terminal TRPV1 channels, leading to Ca²⁺ entry and depolarization. The depolarization activates VGCCs, thus adding to capsaicin-induced Ca²⁺ signals. The Ca²⁺ signal and capsaicin-induced depolarization propagate along the terminal in a Nav-independent manner for ∼25 μm. This depolarization reaches a Nav-SIZ, the location of available Navs, where activation of Navs generates propagating action potentials, which propagate toward the CNS. Right: acute inflammation or application of proinflammatory mediators, presumably by virtue of their relieving effect on Nav slow inactivation, “shifts” the location of available Navs toward the terminal, enhancing the response to capsaicin, thus rendering the nociceptive terminal branch hyperactive.

The upcoming deadline for the next SMART Brain Prize is October 31, 2019

For guidlines please click here

For the full article click here

Gal Atlan - is a PhD student in the computational neuroscience program of the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC). His dissertation research program, in the lab of Dr. Ami Citri, focuses on the interactions between cortical circuits and the claustrum, and the role of the claustrum in attentional processes. He combines genetic viral tools, with electrophysiology and calcium fiber photometry to genetically access, manipulate, and record the activity of sub-populations of claustral neurons in awake mice during rest and behavior. The claustrum is an understudied hub of neural connectivity, and characterizing its role in regulating sensory coherence could shed light on pathologies such as Autism and ADHD.

Anna Terem (Nudler) - is a PhD student in the MADA program of the Life Science Institute in the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Her dissertation research program, in the lab of Dr. Ami Citri's focuses on a comprehensive characterization of the role dopamine plays in the claustrum. Dopamine is a key factor in both reward and attention, however its underlying functional role and circuitry in the claustrum are poorly understood. Understanding the role of dopamine in regulating claustral function is anticipated to provide insight in the mechanisms underlying attention and reward, and potentially support novel diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities with in the context of substance abuse and attention deficit disorders.

We are constantly barraged by sensory information. While only a fraction of this information is deemed relevant and reaches our perception, the majority is suppressed. The neural mechanisms behind this key ability to ignore distractions are largely unknown. In this publication we provide evidence that the claustrum, a neural hub with vast brain-wide connectivity, is a major node in the circuitry supporting resilience to distraction. A major obstacle in assaying the function of the claustrum has been its thin and elongated anatomy. We characterized a genetic approach for accessing claustral neurons, supporting the first functional investigation of the claustrum. Our results revealed a role for the claustrum in filtering irrelevant sensory distractors. Furthermore, we demonstrate a possible mechanism for the action of the claustrum, through suppression of cortical sensory responses.

The upcoming deadline for the next SMART Brain Prize is February 10th, 2019

For guidlines please click here

For the full text click here

slavsky will present her project: “Efficient coding and the evolution of color lexicons” at the "Computational and Systems Neuroscience (Cosyne)" in February 2019. Noga is a PhD student at the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, HUJI. Supervisor: Prof. Naftali Tishby

Asier Erramuzpe will present his project: “Healthy aging network analysis using qMRI, applied to MS” at the "OHBM 2019 - Organization for Human Brain Mapping" in June 2019. Asier is a Post-doc student at the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, HUJI. Supervisor: Dr. Aviv Meze

Noam Shlomo Khayat will present his project: “Perceiving sets and categories” at the "Vision Science Society (VSS)" in May 2019. Noam is a PhD student at the Department of Neurobiology, HUJI. Supervisor: Prof. Shaul Hochstein

 Rotem Dan will present her project: “Disrupted network topology in premenstrual dysphoric disorder is related to childhood maltreatment and emotion regulation” at "The Organization of Human Brain Mapping annual meeting" in June 2019. Rotem is a PhD student at the Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, HUJI. Supervisor: Prof. Gadi Goelman

Shai Ofek will present his project: “How different cell lineages are formed during embryonic development” at the "Gordon Research Conference- Neural Crest and Cranial Placodes" in April 2019. Shai is a PhD student at the Department of  Medical Neurobiology, HUJI. Supervisor: Prof. Chaya Kalcheim

Yasmin Yarden-Rabinowitz will present his project: “In-vivo analysis of synaptic inputs to Cerebellar nuclei neurons reveals excitatory inputs play a key role in determining the timing of cerebellar output” at the "Neuronal circuits in motor behavior - OIST workshop" in February 2019. Yasmin is a PhD student at the Department of Neuroscience, HUJI. Supervisor: Prof. Yosef Yarom

Maya Ross will present her project: “Efficacy of intravitreal gene augmentation therapy in a sheep model of CNGA3 achromatopsia” at the "The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)" in April 2019. Maya is a PhD student at the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, HUJI. Supervisor: Prof. Ron Ofri