Neuronal circuit development and function in the mouse brain

Faculty

Research Summary

To understand development of complex yet sophisticated neuronal circuits underlying higher brain function of mammals, integrative studies which cover from molecules to whole animals are indispensable. By using a wide range of techniques, such as mouse genetics, molecular biology, in utero electroporation, histology and 2-photon in vivo imaging, we are studying mechanisms of development and function of mammalian neuronal circuits. In particular, we are interested in activity-dependent circuit development during postnatal stages.

(Left) The barrel map is visualized by generating thalamocortical axon (TCA)-GFP transgenic mouse.
(Right) A single layer 4 neuron is labeled by Supernova-RFP and dendritic refinement is analyzed by long-term in vivo two-photon imaging in neonates.

Selected Publications

Nakazawa S, Yoshimura Y, Takagi M, Mizuno H, Iwasato T. Developmental Phase Transitions in Spatial Organization of Spontaneous Activity in Postnatal Barrel Cortex Layer 4. J Neurosci. 2020 Sep 30;40(40):7637-7650.

Nakazawa S, Mizuno H, Iwasato T. Differential dynamics of cortical neuron dendritic trees revealed by long-term in vivo imaging in neonates. Nat Commun. 2018 Aug 6;9(1):3106.

Mizuno H, Ikezoe K, Nakazawa S, Sato T, Kitamura K, Iwasato T. Patchwork-Type Spontaneous Activity in Neonatal Barrel Cortex Layer 4 Transmitted via Thalamocortical Projections. Cell Rep. 2018 Jan 2;22(1):123-135.

Mizuno H, Luo W, Tarusawa E, Saito YM, Sato T, Yoshimura Y, Itohara S, Iwasato T. NMDAR-regulated dynamics of layer 4 neuronal dendrites during thalamocortical reorganization in neonates. Neuron. 2014 Apr 16;82(2):365-79.