Chemical identification of neurons of the visual system of vertebrates

• Grant number: 97/12749-1
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Start date: April 01, 1998
• End date: March 31, 2002
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Roberto Giorgetti de Britto
• Grantee: Luiz Roberto Giorgetti de Britto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 00/11575-4 - Development of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in chicken (Gallus gallus) brain , BP.MS

Abstract

The nervous system has been the object of intensive investigation, which has generated a great deal of knowledge that is relevant not only for a better understanding of the neural basis of behavior and of neurological diseases, but also for the advancement of Science in general. Our laboratory has long been involved with the study of the functional organization of the visual system. We initially used in these studies an electrophysiological approach, and later started to use anatomical techniques. Most recently, and following a general trend in the Neurosciences, we have begun to investigate neural processes also from a cellular and/or molecular point of view, which permits a more detailed analysis of neural operations. The general objective of the present project is to chemically characterize neurons of the visual system of vertebrates, by means of the identification of their content of neuromediators, receptors and neuronal markers, such as the glutamate receptors, acetylcholine receptors, calcium-binding proteins and the Fos protein. Some aspects of the regulation of those proteins will also be addressed. Two main techniques will be employed to accomplish that objective, which are immunohistochemical methods and in situ hybridization, that will be often combined with heural lesions and tracer and toxin injections. We antecipate that this project will generate new and relevant information about the functional organization of the visual system and also about the neurochemical organization of the nervous system as a whole. (AU)