MNI researcher Adrien Peyrache has been named in systems neuroscience. As a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair, Peyrache鈥檚 lab will receive $500,000 over five years, but more than that, Peyrache says it is an honour to be selected among Canada鈥檚 top scientists.
鈥淭his means a lot because the Canada Research Chairs are selected among all scientific听disciplines, not just neuroscience,鈥� said Dr. Peyrache, who joined the Montreal Neurological Institute in听2016.听鈥淭his CRC increases the visibility of my lab鈥檚 research outside the field and abroad, and demonstrates that our work is valued by the Canadian scientific community.鈥�
Peyrache and his team study the neuronal basis of the navigation system, the brain鈥檚 GPS. In particular, they aim to unveil the architecture and dynamics of the neuronal circuits supporting the head-direction system (the neuronal compass). To this end, they use high-density electrophysiology allowing the monitoring of large ensembles of neurons in freely moving animals, optogenetics to manipulate neuronal circuits and advanced analysis of neuronal population dynamics.
By recording neuronal activity during exploration and sleep, Peyrache鈥檚 lab investigates how sensory inputs are combined with internally organized processes to generate a coherent and reliable sense of direction. Unraveling the relationship between cognitive processes and neuronal dynamics will take us one step further toward understanding the neural basis of brain disorders.
Since arriving at the MNI, Peyrache has been busy setting up his lab and recruiting a team of researchers. Their first papers are in the process of finalization, and they are forming collaborations with other labs at the MNI and McGill.
鈥淪tarting a lab from scratch, in a new university and a new country, is daunting,鈥� says Peyrache. 鈥淵et, I now have with me a team of very talented and passionate people, from post-docs to undergrad students. Sometimes, I see them all working in the lab, very dedicated to what they鈥檙e doing, and I can鈥檛 believe how quickly it has all come together. A year ago, this lab space was totally empty. It was basically me and a laptop. We are now starting to collect data, and the first papers from the lab are now in the pipes.鈥�
