Ketamine modulates NE-glial communication to increase behavioral perseverance
As joint project with Alex B. Chen, we are currently studying how ketamine modulates a norepinephrine-glial circuit involved in futility-induced passivity. We adapted and established a behavioral assay named zebrafish futile swimming test or zFST. This assay will allow for a better understanding of molecular pathways involved in this behavioral transition and could be used for screening purposes at higher throughput than the FST or TST in rodents. This is an active collaboration between the following labs: Engert Lab, Ahrens Lab, Fishman Lab, Olson Lab, Bergles Lab, Cohen Lab.
Click the image to check out the article, out in Neuron!
Integration and modulation of internal state by glia
Linked to the previous project, I am also interested in understanding whether glia can integrate neuromodulatory signals related to internal states (such as hunger, stress) and relay signals to other neural populations to control behavior. I plan to use the futility-induced passivity behavior as a readout of astrocytic state and test whether changes in internal state of the animal have any impact on astrocytic activity. This work will be funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF).
From Ori et al. 2023 Nature Physics https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-022-01853-z
Excitable non-linear in vitro systems
Working in the Cohen Lab as a rotation student and under the supervision of Hiller Ori, I studied how non-excitable cells expressing different voltage-gated channels can become excitable, and how the topology of the culture can influence the voltage and calcium dynamics. I am still interested in using similar in vitro systems to understand chemical computation in non-excitable cells, such as astrocytes, and how second messengers could relay information in the astrocytic syncytium.
Induction and emergence from propofol anesthesia.
Neural mechanisms of general anesthesia
How do general anesthetics work? Why do some anesthetics induce bradycardia and stop breathing, while others like ketamine don’t? In this project, we are using whole-brain imaging, paired with behavioral, heart and pectoral fin recordings to understand the neural mechanism underlying induction and emergence from anesthesia for different compounds. The ultimate goal is to develop safer anesthetics that can be used in the battlefield. This work is funded by DARPA, and in collaboration with MIT and the Wyss Institute.