Specific programme: CRCNS 2022

The State Research Agency (AEI) and the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) participate as funding agencies in the call for proposals on Computational Neuroscience “Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience” (CRCNS) within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the NSF, the AEI and the ISCIII.

Through the CRCNS program, the participating agencies support collaborative activities that will allow progress in the understanding of the structure and function of the nervous system, the mechanisms underlying nervous system disorders and the computational strategies used by the nervous system.

PCI2022-135040-2 project funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR

APCIN code: PCI2022-135040-2

UPV/EHU Partner Status: Beneficiary

UPV/EHU PI: Jan Tonnesen

Project start: 31/12/2022
Project end:   30/12/2025 

Brief description: When thinking about brain structure, most neuroscientists envision the shapes of neurons and glia. However, increasing evidence shows that the structure of the Extracellular Space (ECS) can affect brain function through its geometry and dynamics. The ECS contains the interstitial fluid (ISF) and the extracellular matrix. Changes in ECS structure can affect the diffusion of neurotransmitters; thus, potentially affecting the excitability of neurons and networks. This proposal brings together two laboratories with complementary experimental and computational expertise to determine the complexity of the ECS at nanoscopic resolution in live tissue and its effects on neuronal function. The Spanish laboratory has spearheaded the development of superresolution shadow imaging (SUSHI), based on stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy. SUSHI can produce images at a resolution of 50x50x200 nm over areas of 100x100 μm. The role of the Spanish team is to provide SUSHI images and participate in building a computational diffusion model based on these. The US team will use computer models to study the consequences of using competing hypotheses of how the ECS complexity affects the diffusion of neurotransmitters, which they will test experimentally with Spain.

PCI2022-135040-2 project funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR