The center aims at bringing together a group of systems neuroscientists in ZNI, with their research focused on deciphering the structure and function of neural circuits in the mammalian brain with cutting-edge techniques. The general long-term research goals are to understand 1) how sensory perception is achieved and how sensory-evoked behaviors and emotions are generated and regulated, 2) how brain circuits adapt to dynamic changes of the external environment, and 3) how specific changes in brain circuits result in neurological and psychiatric disorders, especially the related sensory processing disorders (SPD). The center will promote interactions and collaborations among investigators in ZNI and will support the exploration of translational potentials of discoveries and developed approaches in clinical treatments of SPDs. It will also serve as a platform to foster the career development of junior scientists.
As the focus of the research center is on neural circuitry and brain functions, the center has the state-of-the-art research platforms with cutting-edge techniques on circuit tracing, optogenetics, chemogenetics, imaging, electrophysiology, and sensory behavioral assays: a) For imaging, the laboratories of the center are equipped with most advanced platforms for imaging brain circuits, including laser confocal microscopy, two-photon confocal microscopy, light-sheet microscopy, slide scanner, and tissue clearing such as CLARITY; b) For circuit tracing, all the labs are capable of handling and stereotactically injecting different types of viral and chemical tracers; c) For electrophysiology, the laboratories are equipped with full sets of electrophysiological recording setups for both in vivo and in vitro recordings, including the pioneering in vivo whole-cell and two-photon imaging guided patch clamp recordings, in vivo multichannel recordings for chronic implantation and acute head-fixed preparations, as well as slice whole-cell recording; d) For functional imaging, the center is now equipped with optic fiber photometry, two-photon calcium imaging, miniature endomicroscope imaging for in vivo studies; e) Optogenetics and chemogenetics have been integrated into all electrophysiological and imaging systems; f) For sensory behavioral assays, we have developed different apparatuses for quantitative behavioral monitoring and measuring for different types of behaviors such as motor, emotional and social behaviors. The center will have full sets unique systems and behavioral level resources in USC for neural circuit and sensory processing studies.