Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Rhythmic respiratory activity is generated in the brainstem by a network of neurons distributed in the lower medulla and is highly influenced by chemosensitive drive and brain state activity. Our laboratory is interested in how respiratory rhythms are generated and modulated in vivo, especially regarding the functional role of the two proposed brainstem regions that drive inspiratory and expiratory rhythmic activity, respectively, across different stages of development, in different brain state levels and during different neuromodulatory inputs. In this proposal we request the funds for the purchase of an experimental recording set-up that will allow us to record neuronal activity (both at cellular and network level) and respiratory variables (airflow, respiratory muscles activity) in both anesthetized and behaving rodents during pharmacological and optogenetic manipulations of different regions involved in respiratory control. The equipment will be essential for progressing research discoveries in our laboratory and will provide us with a state of the art electrophysiological assembly that will give us the opportunity of studying functional interactions within an heterogeneous neuronal network. This infrastructure will provide significant advances in the understanding, modulation and potential manipulation of the central neural control of the respiratory system that occurs during conscious and unconscious states. Canada and especially the University of Alberta are well-known for having top respiratory researchers and this infrastructure will provide value-added to a group that only lacks for an in vivo (the ultimate in biological study) research approach.