Responsible: Lisa Mapelli, Francesca Prestori, Simona Tritto, Egidio D’Angelo
Research group: Eleonora Pali, Danila Di Domenico, Giorgia Pellavio, Francesco Mainardi, Maria Conforti, Camilla Ciapponi, Yuhe Li, Qianwen Zhang

The laboratory provides the ideal environment to investigate neuronal physiology from subcellular mechanisms to network dynamics and behavior in the laboratory animal (mouse). Our research group is equipped with advanced setups for single-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, two-photon calcium imaging (Femtonics FEMTOSMART), voltage-sensitive dye imaging, multielectrode arrays ex vivo (3Brains, high-density MEA) and in vivo (Eckhorn matrix, Thomas Recordings), and micro-endoscopic calcium imaging in freely moving mice (nVoke2, INSCOPIX). These recording techniques are combined with optogenetics ex vivo and in vivo. Wet-lab facilities for cellular and molecular biology are available for single neuron reconstructions, tissue staining, viral transfection, optogenetics implants, genotyping, and behavioral testing (Ethovision, Noldus).

The main research lines are devoted to investigating neuronal and neural circuit functioning and synaptic plasticity with special focus on the cerebellum and interconnected brain areas. The studies are carried out in physiological conditions and in animal models of disease (ataxia, dystonia, paroxysmal dyskinesia, autism, schizophrenia, migraine, PCDH19-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-9). The lab has a long-standing expertise in cerebellar investigations, but more recent research lines involve the characterization of cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. Cellular and network activities are investigated using electrophysiology recordings (singe-cell patch-clamp and high-density MEA), optogenetics, and 2P-calcium imaging ex vivo. The use of MEA in vivo and endoscopic calcium imaging in freely moving mice allows to bridge the gap between the mesoscale and the macroscale, observing the impact of neurons and neuronal network activity on animal behavior.

A PhD student will have the possibility to choose between a set of research projects, covering different aspects from the cellular to the behavioral level in physiological and pathological conditions, including:

• Neuronal mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and learning rules
• Microcircuit functioning investigated with high-density multielectrode arrays and two-photon calcium imaging ex vivo. to address network dynamics and plasticity
• Neuron activity in vivo using microelectrode arrays and optogenetics
• Neuron activity during motor learning and control in vivo using microendoscopic calcium imaging
• Multilevel characterization of CNS activity alterations in disease models

The projects (https://dangelo.unipv.it/researchlab/projects/) are developed within a collaborative national and international network, which comprises MNESYS, EBRAINS 2.0, the CEN consortium, PRIN grant, and are financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU PRIN 2022 and PRIN 2022 PNRR.