Research
Our main goals are to understand (1) the neural basis underlying instinctive behaviors and (2) how internal states shape information processing in such circuits. Instinctive behaviors such as parenting, aggression or mating are orchestrated by evolutionarily sculpted neural circuits. Considerable progress has been made in deconstructing these circuits, but is has also become clear that their function profoundly depends on animals’ current physiological – i.e. reproductive, metabolic etc. – state. We know little about the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms by which such states alter neural processing in vivo. Studying these mechanisms will provide us with crucial insights into brain function in health and disease. We use a multidisciplinary approach, combining circuit neuroscience with behavioral profiling and cellular/molecular biology, to address these questions.
Neural Circuit basis of instinct
We investigate the functional circuit architecture underlying instinctive behaviors, such as parenting. We are driven by biological questions and use state-of-the-art systems neuroscience approaches (e.g., viral tracing, in vivo imaging, electrophysiology, optogenetics, behavioral assays) to answer them.
Circuit logic of internal state changes
We address how physiological states such as pregnancy, stress, sleep or hunger affect information processing in neural circuits, and how this orchestrates adaptive behavioral changes. A current area of interest are states mediated by hormones.
Tool development
We are developing viral-genetic tools to delineate and interrogate the neural circuits underlying instinctive behaviors and to determine how the function of such circuits is affected by internal states.