A postdoctoral fellowship position is available for the study of the nanoscale mechanisms determining the functional heterogeneity between individual synapses. We have previously shown that the diversity of synaptic strength and plasticity in the input layer of the cerebellum is tuned to the sensory modality they convey. This project will combine electrophysiology, state-of-the art two photon functional imaging (Ca2+ and neurotransmitter) at single synapses, and super-resolution fluorescence imaging (STED) of synaptic molecules within acute brain slices in order to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the diversity of synaptic function. Molecular perturbations will be performed using viral-based strategies for gene manipulation. In vivo validation of synaptic heterogeneity is also envisioned. Applicants should have previous experience in electrophysiology or optics or mathematical modelling, and a good command of signal analysis. The laboratory is multidisciplinary with in situ and in vivo neurophysiologists, physicists (optics) and theoretical neuroscientist working in a highly collaborative environment.
Please contact David DiGregorio (david.digregorio@pasteur.fr).