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Andrea Burgalossi (academic)

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Andrea Burgalossi
Born
Assisi, Italy
NationalityItalian
Alma materUniversity of Perugia
University of Göttingen
Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine
Scientific career
FieldsNeurobiology, Systems Neuroscience
InstitutionsUniversity of Tübingen
Thesis The Role of alpha- and beta-SNAP in Synaptic Vesicle Exocytosis  (2008)

Andrea Burgalossi is an Italian neurobiologist known for his contributions to the study of synaptic transmission and the neural circuits of learning and memory. He is currently affiliated with the Institute of Neurobiology, Werner Reichardt Center for Integrative Neuroscience at Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, where he holds a full professorship (W3) in Neural circuits and behavior.

Education

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Burgalossi graduated from the Liceo Scientifico secondary school in Assisi. He then studied at the University of Perugia (Università degli Studi di Perugia), writing a thesis and earning a Master's Degree in biochemistry and molecular biology under the guidance of Tommaso Beccari. In 2003, he joined the combined International MSc/PhD program in Molecular Biology at the University of Göttingen. After a one-year study program in molecular biology, which he completed with top grades, he was awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship for Early-Career Researchers. He began his doctorate at the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine in the Department of Nils Brose in October 2004. During his doctoral studies, under the supervision of the neurophysiologist Jeong-Seop Rhee, Burgalossi notably contributed to developing a novel in-vitro method for the study of synaptic transmission[1], which enables the analysis of neurotransmitter release dynamics at higher temporal resolution[2]. In 2008, he earned his doctorate (PhD) in Neurobiology from the University of Göttingen.

Research Interests

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Andrea Burgalossi’s research spans various interests within cellular and systems neuroscience, mainly focusing on the neural circuits underpinning animal behavior, memory, and spatial cognition. His work emphasizes the fields of cellular neurobiology, synaptic transmission, in-vivo physiology, hippocampal memory, and spatial navigation. He has significant experience with in vitro and in vivo analyses of neuronal activity and cellular neuroanatomy and has developed innovative techniques for high-resolution analysis of synaptic transmission[1][2] and for in vivo recording, labeling, and stimulation of single neurons in freely behaving rodents[3][4]. His research aims to decode the cellular plasticity mechanisms essential for hippocampal memory formation and is also broadly interested in sex-specific and sleep-related determinants of spatial behavior, offering insights into how these factors influence spatial navigation and memory in mammals.

Additional Notable Publications

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Andrea Burgalossi’s research significantly advances our understanding of synaptic transmission, neural circuitry for spatial processing, and the cellular underpinnings of memory formation. Here’s a summary of his notable contributions through key papers:

  • Analysis of neurotransmitter release mechanisms by photolysis of caged Ca²⁺ in an autaptic neuron culture system[1] - This 2012 manuscript by Andrea Burgalossi and collaborators provides a protocol for examining neurotransmitter release through precise control of calcium (Ca²⁺) dynamics in neuronal cultures. By using photolysis of "caged" Ca²⁺, which releases calcium in a controlled manner when exposed to light, the study allows researchers to closely analyze the mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter release. Utilizing an autaptic neuron culture system, where neurons form self-synapses, enhances the study of neurotransmitter dynamics at the single-neuron level, providing a powerful tool to explore synaptic function with high temporal resolution. This work is notable for advancing experimental approaches in neurobiology and synaptic research.
  • SNARE protein recycling by αSNAP and βSNAP supports synaptic vesicle priming[2] - This 2010 manuscript by Andrea Burgalossi and colleagues uncovers the role of the proteins alphaSNAP and betaSNAP in the recycling of SNARE complexes, which are essential for synaptic vesicle priming and release. The study demonstrates that these proteins support the readiness of synaptic vesicles for neurotransmitter release by assisting in the recycling of SNARE proteins, which are vital for vesicle fusion with the presynaptic membrane. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of synaptic transmission by highlighting how molecular recycling supports efficient and sustained neurotransmission, a foundational process in neuronal communication and brain function.
  • Microcircuits of functionally identified neurons in the rat medial entorhinal cortex[5] - This 2011 manuscript by Andrea Burgalossi and collaborators maps out microcircuits within the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) of rats, focusing on functionally identified neurons crucial for spatial navigation and memory. By linking in-vivo activity patterns to single neurons and their connections, the study provides an insight into specific microcircuits related to spatial representations. This work is notable for providing insights into the cellular organization of the MEC, a key region for encoding spatial information, and advancing understanding of how individual neurons contribute to spatial cognition.
  • Juxtacellular recording and morphological identification of single neurons in freely moving rats[3] - The 2014 manuscript by Tang, Brecht, and Burgalossi introduces a detailed protocol for juxtacellular recording and labeling of single neurons in freely moving rats. This method enables the precise recording of neuronal activity while also allowing for subsequent morphological identification of the same cells. The approach is valuable for studying neural circuits in natural behavioral contexts, as it combines functional analysis with post-hoc anatomical data. This work provides a powerful tool for researchers studying how individual neurons contribute to complex behaviors in freely behaving animals, advancing techniques in both neurophysiology and neuroanatomy.
  • Manipulating Hippocampal Place Cell Activity by Single-Cell Stimulation in Freely Moving Mice[6] - This 2018 study by Diamantaki, Coletta, Nasr, and Burgalossi demonstrates that spatial memory can be influenced by manipulating place cell activity through single-cell stimulation in freely moving mice. By selectively activating individual hippocampal place cells, the research shows that specific spatial representations in the brain can be artificially modified. This work provides a critical link between single-cell activity and spatial memory formation, offering insights into the mechanisms by which the brain encodes and recalls spatial information, and highlighting potential implications for memory modulation.
  • Priming Spatial Activity by Single-Cell Stimulation in the Dentate Gyrus of Freely Moving Rats[7] - The 2016 study by Diamantaki, Frey, Preston-Ferrer, and Burgalossi explores how single-cell stimulation in the dentate gyrus of freely moving rats can prime spatial activity. The research demonstrates that targeted activation of individual dentate granule cells enhances subsequent spatial responses, suggesting a mechanism by which specific neurons can influence the encoding of spatial information. This finding highlights the role of individual neurons in spatial navigation and memory formation, providing insights into how neuronal circuits and plasticity mechanisms contribute to memory encoding.
  • Sparse activity of identified dentate granule cells during spatial exploration[8] - The 2016 study by Diamantaki, Frey, Berens, Preston-Ferrer, and Burgalossi investigates the activity patterns of dentate granule cells during spatial exploration in rodents. The research finds that only a sparse subset of granule cells, with unique morphological properties, is active while the rats explore their environment. Specifically, granule cells with complex dendritic architecture are more likely to be recruited into a spatial representation. By highlighting the cell-type specific activation of neurons in the dentate gyrus, the study contributes to our understanding of how spatial information is represented and processed in the brain.
  • Dendritic axon origin enables information gating by perisomatic inhibition in pyramidal neurons[9] - The 2022 study by Hodapp and collaborators investigated the recruitment of hippocampal pyramidal neurons into network activity patterns that support memory consolidation (i.e. sharp-wave ripples). This research finds that neurons with 'ectopic' axons (i.e. emerging from the dendrite, rather than the soma) are more likely to be recruited into sharp-wave ripples. This finding highlights the intricate interplay between neuronal morphology and episodic memory processing, suggesting that the recruitment of neurons into active 'memory ensembles' might be determined by axonal morphological features.
  • Anatomical organization of presubicular head-direction circuits[10] - The 2016 study by Preston-Ferrer, Coletta, Frey, and Burgalossi investigates the anatomical organization of head-direction circuits in the presubiculum, a brain region critical for spatial navigation. The research provides detailed insights into the connectivity and functional organization of neurons involved in head-direction coding, revealing how these circuits contribute to the processing of spatial information. This work is significant for providing insights into the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms that underlie the internal representation of head-direction.
  • Modular microcircuit organization of the presubicular head-direction map[11] - The 2022 study by Balsamo, Blanco-Hernández, Coletta, Liang, Naumann, Burgalossi, and Preston-Ferrer investigates the modular microcircuit organization of head-direction cells in the presubiculum, a brain region integral to spatial navigation. This research describes a modular (‘patch matrix’) architecture of the presubiculum that constrains cortical connectivity and neuronal morphologies and organises head-directed activity. This study is significant for proposing a novel structure-function scheme between head-direction activity and cortical modularity. This work contributes to the broader understanding of spatial memory and navigation mechanisms, emphasizing the role of cortical modularity & microcircuit organization in the internal representation of head-direction.
  • Sensory and behavioral modulation of thalamic head-direction cells[12] - The 2024 study by Blanco-Hernández, Balsamo, Preston-Ferrer, and Burgalossi investigates how sensory inputs and behavioral state influence thalamic head-direction cells, which play a critical role in spatial orientation. The research demonstrates that thalamic head-direction neurons are responsive to various sensory cues, and are strongly modulated by behavioral state fluctuations. This finding highlights a dynamic interplay between sensory processing, internal state and spatial navigation. This work enhances our understanding of the neural mechanisms that underlie navigation and orientation, emphasizing the role of thalamic circuits in integrating sensory and behavioral state information with spatial cognition.

These contributions collectively advance knowledge in neurobiology, particularly in synaptic mechanisms and spatial cognition, with implications for understanding and treating memory-related disorders.

Career

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Upon completion of his PhD, and after a brief postdoctoral period within the Brose department, Burgalossi joined Michael Brecht's’ lab at Humboldt University of Berlin in the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin as a postdoctoral researcher. Within the Brecht lab, Burgalossi contributed to developing novel techniques for studying individual neurons in freely-moving rats[3][5] and developed a strong research interest in memory representations and spatial navigation. Following his postdoctoral training, Burgalossi transitioned to an independent research position as a Junior Research Group Leader at the Werner-Reichardt center for Integrative Neuroscience. There, he established the research group Cellular and Synaptic Basis of Behavior focused on the cellular mechanisms of hippocampal memory, leading innovative studies on the structure and plasticity of hippocampal place cell representations[6][7][8][9] and on the cellular basis of the internal compass[10][11][12]. The work on the structural correlates of the internal representation of head-direction in the rodent brain[10] was awarded the Attempto Prize from the University of Tübingen (awarded to Dr. Preston-Ferrer in 2017).

In 2019, he was promoted to Full Professor (W3) for Neural circuits and behavior in the Institute of Neurobiology, at the University of Tübingen. Together with colleagues at the University of Tübingen, Burgalossi has developed a new research interest in exploring the complexities of sex differences in the context of spatial memory and navigation in rodents.

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Burgalossi, Andrea; Jung, SangYong; Man, Kwun-nok Mimi; Nair, Ramya; Jockusch, Wolf J.; Wojcik, Sonja M.; Brose, Nils; Rhee, Jeong-Seop (2012-06-21). "Analysis of neurotransmitter release mechanisms by photolysis of caged Ca²⁺ in an autaptic neuron culture system". Nature Protocols. 7 (7): 1351–1365. doi:10.1038/nprot.2012.074. ISSN 1750-2799. PMID 22722370.
  2. ^ a b c Burgalossi, Andrea; Jung, Sangyong; Meyer, Guido; Jockusch, Wolf J.; Jahn, Olaf; Taschenberger, Holger; O'Connor, Vincent M.; Nishiki, Tei-ichi; Takahashi, Masami; Brose, Nils; Rhee, Jeong-Seop (2010-11-04). "SNARE protein recycling by αSNAP and βSNAP supports synaptic vesicle priming". Neuron. 68 (3): 473–487. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2010.09.019. ISSN 1097-4199. PMID 21040848.
  3. ^ a b c Tang, Qiusong; Brecht, Michael; Burgalossi, Andrea (October 2014). "Juxtacellular recording and morphological identification of single neurons in freely moving rats". Nature Protocols. 9 (10): 2369–2381. doi:10.1038/nprot.2014.161. ISSN 1750-2799. PMID 25211514.
  4. ^ Ding, Lingjun; Balsamo, Giuseppe; Diamantaki, Maria; Preston-Ferrer, Patricia; Burgalossi, Andrea (August 2023). "Opto-juxtacellular interrogation of neural circuits in freely moving mice". Nature Protocols. 18 (8): 2415–2440. doi:10.1038/s41596-023-00842-7. ISSN 1750-2799. PMID 37420087.
  5. ^ a b Burgalossi, Andrea; Herfst, Lucas; von Heimendahl, Moritz; Förste, Henning; Haskic, Kurt; Schmidt, Martin; Brecht, Michael (2011-05-26). "Microcircuits of functionally identified neurons in the rat medial entorhinal cortex". Neuron. 70 (4): 773–786. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2011.04.003. ISSN 1097-4199. PMID 21609831.
  6. ^ a b Diamantaki, Maria; Coletta, Stefano; Nasr, Khaled; Zeraati, Roxana; Laturnus, Sophie; Berens, Philipp; Preston-Ferrer, Patricia; Burgalossi, Andrea (2018-04-03). "Manipulating Hippocampal Place Cell Activity by Single-Cell Stimulation in Freely Moving Mice". Cell Reports. 23 (1): 32–38. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2018.03.031. ISSN 2211-1247. PMID 29617670.
  7. ^ a b Diamantaki, Maria; Frey, Markus; Preston-Ferrer, Patricia; Burgalossi, Andrea (2016-02-22). "Priming Spatial Activity by Single-Cell Stimulation in the Dentate Gyrus of Freely Moving Rats". Current biology: CB. 26 (4): 536–541. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.12.053. ISSN 1879-0445. PMID 26853363.
  8. ^ a b Diamantaki, Maria; Frey, Markus; Berens, Philipp; Preston-Ferrer, Patricia; Burgalossi, Andrea (2016-10-03). "Sparse activity of identified dentate granule cells during spatial exploration". eLife. 5: e20252. doi:10.7554/eLife.20252. ISSN 2050-084X. PMC 5077296. PMID 27692065.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  9. ^ a b Hodapp, Alexander; Kaiser, Martin E.; Thome, Christian; Ding, Lingjun; Rozov, Andrei; Klumpp, Matthias; Stevens, Nikolas; Stingl, Moritz; Sackmann, Tina; Lehmann, Nadja; Draguhn, Andreas; Burgalossi, Andrea; Engelhardt, Maren; Both, Martin (2022-09-23). "Dendritic axon origin enables information gating by perisomatic inhibition in pyramidal neurons". Science (New York, N.Y.). 377 (6613): 1448–1452. doi:10.1126/science.abj1861. ISSN 1095-9203. PMID 36137045.
  10. ^ a b c Preston-Ferrer, Patricia; Coletta, Stefano; Frey, Markus; Burgalossi, Andrea (2016-06-10). "Anatomical organization of presubicular head-direction circuits". eLife. 5: e14592. doi:10.7554/eLife.14592. ISSN 2050-084X. PMC 4927294. PMID 27282390.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
  11. ^ a b Balsamo, Giuseppe; Blanco-Hernández, Eduardo; Liang, Feng; Naumann, Robert Konrad; Coletta, Stefano; Burgalossi, Andrea; Preston-Ferrer, Patricia (2022-04-12). "Modular microcircuit organization of the presubicular head-direction map". Cell Reports. 39 (2): 110684. doi:10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110684. ISSN 2211-1247. PMID 35417686.
  12. ^ a b Blanco-Hernández, Eduardo; Balsamo, Giuseppe; Preston-Ferrer, Patricia; Burgalossi, Andrea (January 2024). "Sensory and behavioral modulation of thalamic head-direction cells". Nature Neuroscience. 27 (1): 28–33. doi:10.1038/s41593-023-01506-1. ISSN 1546-1726. PMID 38177338.
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