MBExC Lecture

Dr. Oded Mayseless from the Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland will held a talk about “Innate odor valence maps to spatially and transcriptionally unique projection neurons within the olfactory bulb” during the MBExC Lecture on 13 November, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

Abstract
Innate odor classification is crucial for animal survival, yet the role of the olfactory bulb (OB) in this process remains unclear. In this study, we provide a detailed analysis of larval zebrafish behavioral response to odors, along with functional and transcriptional characterization of the OB. We linked specific transcriptional clusters to odor valence by integrating a novel behavioral assay, CaMPARI-based functional readouts, single-cell RNA sequencing, and whole-mount spatial transcriptomics. Our results show that chemically distinct odors can elicit similar behaviors, and these behaviors are associated with valence specific activation patterns. We also identified spatial distribution of projection neurons and interneuron transcriptional types linked to valence. These findings offer a functional atlas of the OB and connect spatial-transcriptional activation patterns with innate odor classification.

Host: Dr. Thomas Frank, University of Göttingen