1. Signal processing in sensory-motor networks
We are establishing a protocol for intracellular recordings from the vestibular nucleus in a whole head preparation of Xenopus laevis tadpoles that allows application of natural stimuli that mimic body motion. This offers the opportunity to investigate the functional contribution of single cell activity to the vestibulo-ocular reflex. Various additional staining methods are currently used to visualize all neuronal components of the vestibulo-ocular reflex circuitry. This is complemented by a study that attempts to probe the convergence of the lateral line and vestibular inputs for appropriate transformation into extraocular motor commands.
Turntable setup for vestibular stimulation (top left), Schematic depicting locations of nerve recording (top right) and nerve recording during vestibular stimulation on the tunr table setup (bottom)