"Cognitive function in humans is sustained by a precise repertoire of brain connections that reach its highest complexity in the cerebral cortex. While we have made progress in understanding the correlation between genes and circuit development and function in other species, we still know nothing about how human synapses develop despite being hot spots for neurodevelopmental disorders. We cannot treat successfully what we do not know. I am delighted and grateful to Wellcome for awarding us a Wellcome Discovery grant, which will enable us to uncover insights into the emergence of human circuits over the next eight years.”
Professor Beatriz Rico, Professor of Developmental Neurobiology at King's
12 July 2024
Professor Beatriz Rico receives Wellcome Discovery Award
Her project "Development of inhibitory circuits in the human cerebral cortex” has been awarded £4 million to investigate the mechanisms through which interneuron connectivity develops in the human brain
Professor Beatriz Rico from the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the IoPPN has been awarded the Wellcome Discovery Award for the project "Development of inhibitory circuits in the human cerebral cortex". The award of £4 million will support the project for eight years.
The project looks at the complexity of the human brain. While other species have abilities to suit their environments, human cognition remains unparalleled in both scope and sophistication. Humans can think abstractly, imagine, create complex systems, and use different languages. Moreover, humans can engage in self-awareness, foresight, planning and decision-making. These complex abilities are possible due to the human cerebral cortex.
Neuronal networks in the cerebral cortex consist of excitatory neurons (pyramidal cells) and inhibitory neurons (interneurons). Interneurons are critical for cortical function because they finetune and synchronise the activity of the pyramidal cells. Although the diversity of interneurons in the human cortex is similar to those of other mammals, recent studies have shown that the human interneurons' relative abundance and synaptic connectivity are markedly different. However, the rules that govern the wiring of interneurons in the developing human brain remain unknown.
The project will investigate how interneuron connectivity develops in the human cerebral cortex. It is hypothesised that human interneurons use molecular programmes similar to other species to establish the basic features of cortical inhibitory circuits, however, the specific molecules may differ.
The project will examine this problem by answering three questions: when do human interneuron synapses emerge, what molecular codes underlie the interneuron synaptic assembly, and how do the relevant molecules wire the human interneurons?
The Wellcome Discovery Award scheme provides funding for established researchers and teams from any discipline who want to pursue bold and creative research ideas to deliver significant shifts in understanding related to human life, health and wellbeing.
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Professor of Developmental Neurobiology