Gizem Sancer
Associate Research ScientistAbout
Research
Publications
2025
Divergent synaptic dynamics originate parallel pathways for computation and behavior in an olfactory circuit
Kim H, Santana G, Sancer G, Emonet T, Jeanne J. Divergent synaptic dynamics originate parallel pathways for computation and behavior in an olfactory circuit. Current Biology 2025, 35: 3146-3162.e8. PMID: 40541186, PMCID: PMC12235717, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.05.051.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLateral horn neuronsPostsynaptic neuronsProjection neuronsDrosophila olfactory systemCalcium buffer EGTASpike thresholdOlfactory circuitsSensory processingOlfactory systemOdor attractivenessInformation streamsCentral circuitsCellular mechanismsSynaptic dynamicsSpecialized computersNeuronsSubtractive adaptationDepressionSynapsesComputerEfficient wayProcessing pathwayGain controlPresynaptic specializationsBehavior
2024
Connectomic reconstruction predicts visual features used for navigation
Garner D, Kind E, Lai J, Nern A, Zhao A, Houghton L, Sancer G, Wolff T, Rubin G, Wernet M, Kim S. Connectomic reconstruction predicts visual features used for navigation. Nature 2024, 634: 181-190. PMID: 39358517, PMCID: PMC11446847, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07967-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVisual featuresAnterior visual pathwayClasses of neuronsOptic lobeAnterior optic tubercleLocation of synapsesER neuronsDrosophila melanogasterOptic tubercleAVPPresynaptic connectionsVisual informationCentral brainNeuronsConnectome reconstructionVisual pathwayNavigation systemCentral complexPostsynaptic connectionsMedullaNeural classInformation channelsDendritic fieldsNavigationVisual inputNeuronal parts list and wiring diagram for a visual system
Matsliah A, Yu S, Kruk K, Bland D, Burke A, Gager J, Hebditch J, Silverman B, Willie K, Willie R, Sorek M, Sterling A, Kind E, Garner D, Sancer G, Wernet M, Kim S, Murthy M, Seung H. Neuronal parts list and wiring diagram for a visual system. Nature 2024, 634: 166-180. PMID: 39358525, PMCID: PMC11446827, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07981-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOlfactory sensory neuron population expansions influence projection neuron adaptation and enhance odour tracking
Takagi S, Sancer G, Abuin L, Stupski S, Roman Arguello J, Prieto-Godino L, Stern D, Cruchet S, Álvarez-Ocaña R, Wienecke C, van Breugel F, Jeanne J, Auer T, Benton R. Olfactory sensory neuron population expansions influence projection neuron adaptation and enhance odour tracking. Nature Communications 2024, 15: 7041. PMID: 39147786, PMCID: PMC11327376, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50808-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOlfactory sensory neuronsPopulation expansionSpecies-specific expansionSensory neuronsProjection neuronsConnections of sensory neuronsOlfactory sensory neuron numbersSpecies-specific behaviorsD. sechelliaDrosophila sechelliaEcologically-relevantProportion of neuronsEnvironmental cuesMultigenic changesEvolutionary expansionIncreased synaptic connectivityFunctional impactPN sensitivityNeuronal adaptationOdor trackingNeuronsSechelliaLateral inhibitionInhibitionSpecies
2023
Generation of ventralized human thalamic organoids with thalamic reticular nucleus
Kiral F, Cakir B, Tanaka Y, Kim J, Yang W, Wehbe F, Kang Y, Zhong M, Sancer G, Lee S, Xiang Y, Park I. Generation of ventralized human thalamic organoids with thalamic reticular nucleus. Cell Stem Cell 2023, 30: 677-688.e5. PMID: 37019105, PMCID: PMC10329908, DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.03.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman embryonic stem cellsSingle-cell RNA sequencingReceptor tyrosine protein kinaseTyrosine protein kinaseEmbryonic stem cellsDisease-associated genesLineage developmentRNA sequencingHuman brain developmentOrganoid systemsStem cellsHuman brain organoidsNeuronal functionBrain organoidsOrganoidsBrain organoid systemsDistinct nucleiBrain developmentThalamic developmentPTCHD1NucleusKinaseGenesSequencing
2021
Synaptic targets of photoreceptors specialized to detect color and skylight polarization in Drosophila
Kind E, Longden K, Nern A, Zhao A, Sancer G, Flynn M, Laughland C, Gezahegn B, Ludwig H, Thomson A, Obrusnik T, Alarcón P, Dionne H, Bock D, Rubin G, Reiser M, Wernet M. Synaptic targets of photoreceptors specialized to detect color and skylight polarization in Drosophila. ELife 2021, 10: e71858. PMID: 34913436, PMCID: PMC8789284, DOI: 10.7554/elife.71858.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe development and function of neuronal subtypes processing color and skylight polarization in the optic lobes of Drosophila melanogaster
Sancer G, Wernet M. The development and function of neuronal subtypes processing color and skylight polarization in the optic lobes of Drosophila melanogaster. Arthropod Structure & Development 2021, 61: 101012. PMID: 33618155, DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2020.101012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDorsal rim areaOptic lobeSpecific cellular elementsCell typesMedulla neuropilPhotoreceptor terminalsNeuronal subtypesRim areaOmmatidial subtypesDistinct subtypesSynaptic connectionsNeural circuitsCellular elementsSubtypesDistal portionRetinal mosaicsMolecular mechanismsCell type-specific transcriptomicsResponse propertiesPhotoreceptorsLobeCellsR7 photoreceptorsR8 cellsR8 photoreceptors
2020
Parallel Visual Pathways with Topographic versus Nontopographic Organization Connect the Drosophila Eyes to the Central Brain
Timaeus L, Geid L, Sancer G, Wernet M, Hummel T. Parallel Visual Pathways with Topographic versus Nontopographic Organization Connect the Drosophila Eyes to the Central Brain. IScience 2020, 23: 101590. PMID: 33205011, PMCID: PMC7648135, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101590.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2019
Cellular and synaptic adaptations of neural circuits processing skylight polarization in the fly
Sancer G, Kind E, Uhlhorn J, Volkmann J, Hammacher J, Pham T, Plazaola-Sasieta H, Wernet M. Cellular and synaptic adaptations of neural circuits processing skylight polarization in the fly. Journal Of Comparative Physiology A 2019, 206: 233-246. PMID: 31811399, DOI: 10.1007/s00359-019-01389-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolarization-sensitive photoreceptorsDorsal rim areaCell typesCentral brainCertain cell typesDrosophila melanogasterMedulla columnsLarge insectsSynaptic adaptationPhotoreceptors R7Downstream elementsDifferent speciesPost-synaptic membraneDRA regionFunctional roleComplex circuit architecturesInsectsPolarization visionDistal medullaLobula complexMedulla neuropilNeuronal elementsSpecialized ommatidiaOptic lobePhotoreceptorsModality-Specific Circuits for Skylight Orientation in the Fly Visual System
Sancer G, Kind E, Plazaola-Sasieta H, Balke J, Pham T, Hasan A, Münch L, Courgeon M, Mathejczyk T, Wernet M. Modality-Specific Circuits for Skylight Orientation in the Fly Visual System. Current Biology 2019, 29: 2812-2825.e4. PMID: 31402302, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.07.020.Peer-Reviewed Original Research