The olfactory system serves as an ideal model for investigating fundamental processes occurring within the brain. The initial hub for processing olfactory signals is the olfactory epithelium, situated within the nasal cavity, housing olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) as the sole neurons in direct contact with the external surroundings. Interestingly, the olfactory system harbours two centres of adult neurogenesis, well demonstrated at least in rodents. Surrounding the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles, remains a neurogenic niche that produce interneurons that migrate towards the olfactory bulb lifelong.  Moreover OSN, located in the nasal cavity undergo periodic regeneration every few days, constituting a unique source of neurogenesis in both rodent and human models. Therefore, the olfactory system represents a distinctive structure where neurogenesis occurs from two distinct regions: one in the periphery, and the other within the telencephalon, conferring distinctive unique plasticity mechanisms within the central nervous system. This talk will cover these neurogenic processes from different perspectives, one related to lineage tracing of the postnatal SVZ neurogenic niche and other encompassing neuronal specification during brain development.

More information:

• https://cajal.csic.es/laboratorios/sistema-olfativo-y-desarrollo/