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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

News


Previous news from the research group

News

New publication from Keisuke Yonehara's group - Congenital nystagmus gene FRMD7 is necessary for establishing a neuronal circuit asymmetry for direction selectivity

- Research news

Neuronal circuit asymmetries are important components of brain circuits, but the molecular pathways leading to their establishment remain unknown.…

Keisuke Yonehara receives grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation

- Awards

Group Leader Keisuke Yonehara has been awarded a 2 year project grant of 1.2 mio. DKK from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Medical and Natural Sciences…

Group Leader Keisuke Yonehara awarded the Japan Neuroscience Society Young Investigator Award

- Awards

The Japan Neuroscience Society has awarded one of the five Young Investigator Awards-Fiscal Year 2015 to DANDRITE Group Leader Keisuke Yonehara for…

Top team of Group leaders now complete at DANDRITE

- People

DANDRITE’s aim of appointing five top researchers as Group leaders has just become a reality with the appointment of Dr Sadegh Nabavi, whose research…

New Group Leader at DANDRITE

- People

New DANDRITE Group Leader Keisuke Yonehara started his work in Aarhus on 1 February 2015. The Yonehara group focuses on the structure, function and…

ERC Starting Grant for research into the brain’s visual processing system

- Awards

Keisuke Yonehara is leader of the Yonehara Group at DANDRITE (the Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience), Aarhus University. He has…