Page 13 - brain-eBook

Team Project Name Key Words

Multi-scale interrogation on engram connectome Memory engram; synapse; plasticity; brain
and modulation of brain dynamics in health and modulation; brain circuits and behavior; emotion
disease and cognition; limbic system; hippocampus;
Research Project amygdala; optogenetic; chemogenetic;
electrophysiology; calcium imaging; dentate gyrus
Memory is fundamental in mammals, influencing Global Cooperation
emotions, decisions, and consciousness. Engrams,
memory units encoded in enduring neural changes, The establishment of a map for memory trace
have been studied using recent mouse genetics. cells, circuit mechanisms, gene analysis, and
Engrams are distributed in brain circuits, including functional regulation in this project is achieved
the amygdala and hippocampus. While most through the collaboration of interdisciplinary
engrams involve excitatory neurons, little attention and cross-institutional strengths in fields such
has been given to inhibitory neuron engrams. as biomedicine, psychophysiology, theoretical
In the past two years, our focus has been on physics, engineering, and optoelectronic materials.
"non-classical" inhibitory engrams, particularly With the most comprehensive framework, the
GABAergic ones. We've made significant results in development and application of new technologies
identifying their characteristics, function, plasticity, are aimed to establish partnerships with leading
connectivity, and their behavioral impact. Our future international academic research institutions. The
research focuses on: research and development outcomes, along with
(1) Mapping input-output structures and functions derived theories and applications, will contribute
of memory engrams. to enhancing Taiwan's international visibility in
(2) Exploring interactions between engram brain science and technology applications. This
and non-engram cells and engram-specific will further advance medical material technology
plasticity. for implantable devices and validate implantable
(3) Analyzing transcriptomic profiles of engram neural modulation techniques. It will also establish
cells in health and disease. an evaluation platform for brain disease treatment,
(4) Developing circuit mechanism-based brain and comprehensively drive the development of
stimulation to modulate fear memory. industries such as biomedicine, engineering, big
data, smart/precision healthcare, and health and
Maintaining excitation-inhibition balance is crucial well-being in the future.
for long-term memory and overall brain function.
E-I(excitation-inhibition) imbalance is common Project Web Page
in various brain disorders. We propose the E-I
balance framework to investigate memory disorders
related to the hippocampus and amygdala
and expand brain stimulation applications. Our
ultimate goal in this interdisciplinary research is to
develop innovative strategies and technologies for
addressing brain disorders.

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