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SUMMARY:Circuit for memory-based action selection - Marta Zlatic\, Departm
 ent of Zoology\, University of Cambridge
DTSTART:20240524T090000Z
DTEND:20240524T100000Z
UID:TALK217012@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Samuel Eckmann
DESCRIPTION:Animal behavior is shaped both by evolution and by individual 
 experience. In many species parallel brain\npathways encode innate and lea
 rnt valences of stimuli. Furthermore\, within the learning centers\, oppos
 ite valences may be associated with the same cues\, in parallel. How these
  opposing valences are integrated into an overall predicted value and used
  to drive a single coherent action is not well understood. In insects\, th
 e Mushroom Body Output Neurons (MBONs) and the Lateral Horn Neurons (LHNs)
  are thought to provide the learnt and innate drives\, respectively. Howev
 er\, their patterns of convergence and the mechanisms by which their outpu
 ts are used to select actions are not well understood. Our recently publis
 hed connectome of the entire Drosophila larval brain has revealed a comple
 x\, multi-layered network of neurons downstream of MBONs and LHNs and upst
 ream of descending neurons that implements action selection. To discover t
 he basic operational principles of this action-selection network\, we have
  performed an optogenetic activation screen for neurons that promote disti
 nct actions\, and we have characterised the responses of these neurons to 
 stimuli of distinct innate and learnt valances. Together\, these studies r
 eveal the circuit mechanisms allowing integration of opposing drives from 
 parallel olfactory pathways.  
LOCATION:CBL Seminar Room\, Engineering Department\, 4th floor Baker build
 ing
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