Dupret Group

dupret

Firing response of hippocampal CA1 principal cells during sharp-wave/ripple events in sleep. Top trace, wide-band (1H–5 kHz) local field potential recorded in the pyramidal cell layer. Bottom trace, 140–250 Hz band pass-filtered local field potential highlighting ripple frequency events. Raster plots, spike times of simultaneously recorded CA1 principal cells (one cell per row). Note the firing synchrony during ripple events.

Our research group studies how neural activity in the hippocampus and connected brain regions supports memory-guided behaviour, enabling individuals to infer from past experience how to respond to ever-changing life situations.

Group Science

The idea that groups of distributed neurons transiently coordinate their spiking activity to organize information-representing cell assemblies is central to our investigations. Our laboratory uses a transdisciplinary approach that combines multichannel electrophysiological recordings during behaviour with optogenetic and real-time (closed-loop) manipulations of brain circuit dynamics. The group performs circuit-level analyses to: (i) determine how neural representations of the external world are computed, consolidated and recalled for the purpose of memory-guided behaviour; (ii) establish the mnemonic contribution of oscillatory patterns of network activity (e.g., theta, gamma, sharp wave/ripples); and (iii) define neuronal motifs and pathways supporting memory-guided behaviour. We perform this work while keeping in mind that not all memories serve adaptive behaviour. This is notably the case for memories that are related to experiences of drugs of abuse, and those memories that underpin maladaptive responses. Accordingly, our work is intended to provide principles of interventions aimed at rebalancing network physiopathology of maladaptive memory.

Key Research Areas
  • In vivo study of memory circuits

  • Mnemonic role of neuronal ensembles and oscillations

Research Techniques
  • Multichannel recordings and associated data analyses

  • Cell-type-selective and input-defined optogenetics

  • Memory-guided behaviour

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equal opportunity within our group and the wider MRC BNDU.

Group Leader
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Dr. David Dupret
Group News
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A picture of electrophysiological data recorded from mouse hippocampus.

Electrophysiological data recorded from mouse hippocampus, showing activity dynamics important for memory.

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A group photo of attendees at the Unit’s Science Day in Winter 2022.

Attendees at the MRC BNDU’s Science Day in Winter 2022.

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Photo of a visiting In2scienceUK school pupil working at a lab bench

In2scienceUK student gets involved with neuroanatomy research at the MRC BNDU.

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A group photo of attendees at the Unit’s Science Day in summer 2022.

Attendees at the MRC BNDU’s Science Day in summer 2022.

Selected Publications
Unit Publication
McHugh SB
Lopes-Dos-Santos V
Gava GP
Hartwich K
Tam SKE
Bannerman DM
Dupret D
2022. Nat. Neurosci., 25(11):1481-1491.
Unit Publication
El-Gaby M
Reeve HM
Lopes-Dos-Santos V
Campo-Urriza N
Perestenko PV
Morley A
Strickland LAM
Lukács IP
Paulsen O
Dupret D

2021. Nat Neurosci, 24(5):694-704.

Unit Publication
Gava GP
McHugh SB
Lefèvre L
Lopes-Dos-Santos V
Trouche S
El-Gaby M
Schultz SR
Dupret D

2021. Nat Neurosci, 24(3):326-330.

Unit Publication
Barron HC
Reeve HM
Koolschijn RS
Perestenko PV
Shpektor A
Nili H
Rothaermel R
Campo-Urriza N
O'Reilly JX
Bannerman DM
Behrens TE
Dupret D
2020. Cell, 183(1):228-243.e21.
Unit Publication
Trouche S
Koren V
Doig NM
Ellender TJ
El-Gaby M
Lopes-Dos-Santos V
Reeve HM
Perestenko PV
Garas FN
Magill PJ
Sharott A
Dupret D

2019. Cell, 176(6):1393-1406.e16.

Datasets and resources

Like other Groups at the MRC BNDU, we are committed to best practice in open research.  We have created and curated a range of primary data, metadata and related resources that can be readily downloaded by external users from the MRC BNDU's Data Sharing Platform. We highlight below just a few examples of the datasets and other resources we have shared for the benefit of our stakeholders.

Quinn AJ
Lopes-dos-Santos V
Nobre AC
Dupret D
Woolrich MW
Gava GP
McHugh SB
Lefèvre L
Lopes-Dos-Santos V
Trouche S
El-Gaby M
Schultz SR
Dupret D
Lopes-dos-Santos V
van de Ven GM
Morley A
Trouche S
Campo-Urriza N
Dupret D