Cell-type specific profiling of nascent RNA in the brain during learning (2018-2021)

Activity-induced gene expression is central to neural plasticity, learning, and memory; however, efforts to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in the brain have remained elusive due to technical limitations with regard to molecular tools to interrogate this process. The aim of this proposal is to understand cell-type specific, fast-acting, and dynamic patterns of RNA expression that arise during learning and contribute to the formation of memory. By elucidating the full repertoire of newly-expressed RNA in the brain during learning and memory formation the findings will be broadly applicable and create new opportunities for understanding the true nature of brain adaptation.