Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Klein

Keywords: Cortex development, amygdala circuits, optogenetics, mouse behaviour

Brief research description: Our department investigates the common principles and functions of cell-cell communication in the developing and mature nervous system. Neuronal circuit formation is dependent on the precise navigation of nerve cells (neurons) and their cellular processes (axons and dendrites) to their final destinations. During development neurons explore their environment for the presence of biochemical signals that can be either attractive (adhesive) or repulsive. We are investigating the functions of these signals in the laboratory mouse. Currently, our focus is on the development and folding of the cerebral cortex. In a second ERC-funded project we are genetically altering circuit wiring during development in a predictable fashion, and to test the consequences for innate behavior (in mice). This line of research follows concepts of synthetic biology, namely “Creating is understanding”. Similar to synthetic biology, which aims at reconstructing cellular systems, we are using genetics to reconstruct brain circuits to reroute information processing for new behavioral purposes. Single-cell RNA sequencing provides us with candidate connectivity cues giving us entry points to define the principles of circuit assembly of our favorite microcircuits. This information gives us the tools to generate synthetic or “neomorphic” circuits that drive alternative behavioral outputs along measurable hypotheses. Our focus here is the amygdala and its role in various appetitive and defensive behaviors.

Current or graduated GSN students: Ylenia Mastrodicasa, Dr. Amelia Douglass, Dr. Hakan Kucukdereli, Dr. Aarathi Balijepalli, Dr. Jorg Körner, Dr. Daniel Nagel

Selected publications:

Ponserre M*, Fermani F*, Gaitanos L, Klein R (2022). Encoding of environmental cues in central amygdala neurons during foraging. J. Neurosci. 42(18): 3783-3796. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1791-21.2022 *equal contribution Ponserre M*, Peters C*, Fermani F, Conzelmann K-K, Klein R (2020). The insula cortex contacts distinct output streams of the central amygdala. J. Neurosci., 40(46): 8870-8882. *equal contribution Del Toro D*, Carrasquero-Ordaz M*, Chu A*, Ruff T, Shahin M, Jackson VA, Chavent M, Berbeira-Santana M, Seyit-Bremer G, Brignani S, Kaufmann R, Lowe E, Klein R**, Seiradake E**. (2020). Structural basis of Teneurin-Latrophilin interaction in repulsive guidance of migrating neurons. Cell 180, 323-339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2019.12.014. *equal contribution, **corresponding authors Del Toro D#, Ruff T#, Cederfjäll E, Villalba A, Seyit-Bremer G, Borrell V, Klein R. (2017). Regulation of cerebral cortex folding by controlling neuronal migration via FLRT adhesion molecules. Cell, 169, 612-635. (cover story) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2017.04.012 # equal contribution Preview in Developmental Cell, recommended in F1000Prime. Douglass AM#, Kucukdereli H#, Ponserre M#, Markovic M, Gründemann J, Strobel C, Alcala Morales PL, Conzelmann KK, Lüthi A, Klein R. (2017). Central amygdala circuits modulate food consumption through a positive valence mechanism. Nature Neuroscience 20, 1384-1394. # equal contribution Highlight in Nature Reviews Neuroscience News & Views in Nature Neuroscience