Ethological dynamics in diorama environments

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) arising during fetal development exhibit unparalleled migratory capabilities in the brain. OPCs migrate towards axons to differentiate into oligodendrocytes and then form myelin. Myelin, a lipid-rich membrane structure wrapping neuronal axons, plays a crucial role in enhancing the speed and precision of action potentials. In this study, we consider brain slice cultures containing diverse neuronal axons as a diorama environment for investigating movement of OPCs. Through live imaging of OPCs released into this diorama environment, we aim to elucidate their behavioral principles: specifically, how they navigate towards axons and which types of axons they preferentially associate with. Furthermore, by subjecting brain slices to an inflammatory state, we try to uncover the behavioral principles of OPCs in pathological conditions.