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Neurobiology of Motor Actions – Abdel El Manira group
The goal of our research is to decipher the organizational logic together with the intricate coding and processing that allow the spinal network to produce locomotor movements with varying speed and force.
Part of the Department of Neuroscience
News and activities
Research focus
The goal of our research is to decipher the organizational logic together with the intricate coding and processing that allow the spinal network to produce locomotor movements with varying speed and force. To achieve this, our laboratory has pioneered the use of the adult zebrafish, which lends itself to a detailed experimental analysis using a variety of state-of-the-art tools.
Thus far, our studies have revealed the organization and pattern of recruitment of motoneurons and excitatory interneurons during swimming. Our recent results show that motoneurons are divided into four distinct pools with a somatotopic organization in the motor column depending on the type of muscle they innervate. These motoneuron pools represent discrete modules that are deployed incrementally with increasing swimming speed.
In addition, we have identified a class of excitatory interneurons as the substrate for the excitatory drive that endows the spinal network with the capacity to generate swimming.
Finally, we have uncovered a novel principle of organization of the spinal locomotor network consisting of ensembles of microcircuits that act as an intrinsic gearshift. Each microcircuit encompasses a subset of motoneurons and excitatory interneurons that are incrementally recruited to increase the swimming speed.
Image: Abdel El Manira
Thus, novel insights into the principles governing locomotor microcircuits organization and function are beginning to emerge from our studies that may have general implications beyond the study of circuits for motor behavior.
Principles governing recruitment of neurons during locomotion. At slow swimming speeds only slow microcircuits activating slow muscles are recruited. Fast microcircuits are deployed with increased speed and activate fast muscles.
Members and contact
Group leader
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Abdel El ManiraProfessor
All members of the group
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Maria BertuzziResearch Engineer
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Elin DahlbergBiomedical Scientist
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Abdel El ManiraProfessor
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Pierre FontanelPhd Student
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Song JianrenAffiliated to Research
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David Madrid PulgarínPhd Student
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Leander MrowkaPhd Student
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Irene PallucchiAffiliated to Research
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Laurence PictonAssistant Professor
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Vidur SabharwalPostdoctoral Studies
Contact and visit us
Contact information for the Abdel El Manira research group at the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet.
Postal address
Department of Neuroscience
Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm
Visiting address (visitors, couriers, etc.)
Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, 4B
Solnavägen 9, SE-171 65 Solna
Delivery address (goods, parcels, etc.)
Tomtebodavägen 16, SE-171 65 Solna