Targeting the neural basis of sociability deficits after early-life trauma in mice

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Beschreibung der Arbeit

In-vivo oxytocin sensing; In-vivo dual color fiber photometry; patch-clamp electrophysiology; Optogenetic stimulation;Stereotaxic surgeries with viral brain injections; Naturalistic behavioral asseys; Social interaction tests

Our team investigates how early-life stress shapes neural circuits to drive adult mental disorders, aiming to identify new treatment targets. We found that early social stress induces sex-specific thalamolimbic plasticity, leading to chronic pain and anxiety-like avoidance in females (Borruto et al., 2024, in review at Science). We unraveled thalamolimbic contributions to depressive anhedonia in mice and human pain patients (ongoing project), and identified corticostriatal mechanisms of pain relief (Gan et al., Science, 2022) and salience coding (Wieland et al., J Neurosci, 2014), as well as novel thalamostriatal cholinergic pain pathways (in submission). In this project, we uncovered female-specific thalamolimbic plasticity underlying sociability deficits after early stress in female mice and aim to now dissect in vivo mechanisms, focusing on potential oxytocinergic plasticity in females after early-stress.

Rahmenbedingungen

The applicant participates in weekly group seminars and journal clubs. A dedicated structured training is guaranteed. SFB 1158 (https://www.sfb1150.de) in Heidelberg supports scientific exchange of young scientists in retreats, congresses, summer schools.

High motivation and dedication. All techniques are established with structured training programs to learn them. Animal experimental course is mandatory. Programming skills can be learned in the lab.

HiWi job (510 €).

A first or at least a co-authorship is envisioned.