Our Research
Our research aims to understand how neuronal connections between the brain and the spinal cord enable flexible, skilled movement. Descending pathways recruit spinal circuits to drive movement, while ascending circuits encode somatosensory information to report how that action unfolds. We study both.
A transverse section of the spinal cord, with various cells labeled.
A major focus of our research is uncovering the function and anatomy of a specific cell population: corticospinal neurons. Corticospinal neurons influence behavior by synapsing on a diverse population of spinal cord interneurons. We want to know what information corticospinal neurons encode and how their connections with spinal cord interneurons control movement and sensation.
Virally-labeled corticospinal neurons
Skilled movement depends on accurate information from the sensory periphery and feedback about the body’s position in its environment. We study the ascending circuits that relay this information from the body to the brain.
Thalamic inputs to the cerebral cortex.
Disrupting the connections between the brain and the spinal cord can be disastrous. Spinal cord injury often leads to paralysis and chronic pain, conditions that are difficult to treat. We study how injury affects the structure and function of ascending circuits, with the ultimate goal of designing more effective treatments.
Some random axons.
In the lab, we use a suite of advanced anatomical tracing and electrophysiological methods to discover and map neuronal circuits. We combine this approach with a range of neuronal recording techniques and behavioral assays to understand how these circuits contribute to skilled movement.
Techniques
Circuit Dissection
We use a combination of intersectional and transsynaptic tracing, optogenetics-assisted electrophysiology, RNA sequencing, among other methods, to characterize the organization of brain and spinal neural circuits - with exacting detail.
Neuronal Recordings
To characterize functionally relevant neuronal activity, we combine multiphoton calcium imaging microscopy with cell type-specific circuit capture methods. We also use traditional electrophysiological methods when warranted.
Behavioral Assays
We use behavioral assays that leverage the functional specializations of the sensorimotor cortex, subcortex, and spinal cord, as well as the neuronal diversity of these structures.
Support
Anders is a recipient of the K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (2020-2025) a NARSAD grant, and a Klingenstein-Simons fellowship. Before that, Anders was an HHMI scholar of the Helen Hay Whitney Fellowship (2017-2020) for his postdoctoral studies.