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Yonehara Group

Yonehara Group - Spatially Asymmetric Neural Circuits in Visual System

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The Yonehara group investigates the structure, function and development of neural circuits in the visual system. We are interested in the role of different cell types in neuronal circuits and the genetic and molecular mechanisms of how those circuits are assembled during development. The methods used include two-photon imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics, trans-synaptic virus, genetic labeling, molecular biology, genomics and behavioral analysis.


Research focus
Our research is based on the central hypothesis that functionally important neuronal circuit motifs are repeatedly used across various brain regions and species, and therefore identifying and understanding the structure and function of such motifs could give insights into the functional organisation of the brain. The mouse visual motion circuits, particularly the retina and its direct brain target the superior colliculus, provides us with an approachable substrate to work towards this goal, given its functionally and genetically well-defined cell types, multi-layered organization and tractable visually-guided behaviors. Two key organising principles that characterize not only the visual motion circuits of mammals and insects, but also other neuronal systems, are 1) parallel processing and 2) asymmetry of neuronal connectivity. We have focused, and will continue to focus, on questions relevant to these organising principles (Yonehara et al., Nature, 2011; Yonehara et al., Neuron, 2013).

The research plan is firstly to identify a computation performed by a given neuronal circuit comprising distinct cell types in the adult brain. Secondly, to investigate how the computation is performed by linking the activity and synaptic connectivity of individual cell types in the circuit to the computation that the circuit achieves. Thirdly, to examine the role of individual cell types in transforming the sensory input into output innate behavior or eye movement control. Finally, to study the genetic mechanisms by which the elementary circuit motifs are assembled, and how its dysfunction can result in disease. Ultimately, by these experiments we aim to link genes to behavior. We will also develop new genetic and viral technologies that facilitate probing circuit function in healthy and diseased systems.

Available projects

The Yonehara group currently has projects available for Postdocs, Master and PhD students. Please contact Group Leader Keisuke Yonehara directly, if interested. See current job announcements here

Previous news from the research group

News

Akihiro Matsumoto has been awarded VELUX FONDEN's postdoc fellowship

- KeisukeYonehara

Akihiro receives DKK 2.421.777 from VELUX FONDEN for his 3-year postdoc project entitled “Simulation-based strategies for restoring retinal motion…

Congratulations to Keisuke Yonehara, who has had his Group Leader extension approved

- News from the management

The Executive Board of DANDRITE has approved the recommendations from the Assessment Committee to extend Keisuke’s appointment at DANDRITE for another…

Congratulations to Keisuke Yonehara with the grant of DKK 2,991,000.00 from Lundbeckfonden on The NIH Brain Initiative Scheme

- Research news

The grant is assigned to the project entitled; "Brain circuit mapping using light-inducible recombinase systems”. The project will be initiated early…

Please welcome Tjasa who is new trainee in Yonehara group

- People

Tjasa Lapanja joined Keisuke Yonehara’s group as a trainee in November. For the next 3,5 months she will be working with Szilard Sajgo on a project…

Capogna’s and Yonehara’s groups contributed to the Brain Conference “The necessity of cell types for brain function”, Copenhagen, 7-10 October

- KeisukeYonehara

Capogna’s and Yonehara’s groups contributed to the scientific program of a recent Brain Conference held in Copenhagen aiming to elucidate the role of…

DANDRITE mini symposium; lectures by Cornelius Gross, Naoshige Uchida, Rune Berg and Keisuke Yonehara

- Events

On the 1'st of October DANDRITE will host a mini symposim and we are very excited to present the 4 speakers:

Cornelius Gross, Group Leader, Senior…

Bjarke Thomsen Continues as Laboratory Technician in Yonehara's Lab

- KeisukeYonehara

Bjarke Thomsen continues as laboratory technician in Keisuke Yonehara's group per 1 June 2018. Bjarke's responsibilities includes helping group…

Emma Johannsen is new shared Student Assistant in Yonehara, Denham and Nabavi Group

- People

Emma is a new student assistant shared between Mark Denham, Keisuke Yonehara and Sadegh Nabavi. She will mainly be handling autoclavation in…

Simon Arvin is new Student Assistant in Yonehara Group

- People

In Yonehara group, Simon will assemble a virtual reality system in combination with a two-photon imaging system for head-fixed awake mice to explore…