Genes - Circuits - Behavior

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Research overview

All sensory perception and every coordinated movement, as well as feelings, memories and motivation, arise from the bustling activity of many millions of interconnected cells in the brain. The ultimate function of this elaborate network is to generate behavior. We use zebrafish as our experimental model, employing a diverse array of molecular, genetic, optical, connectomic, behavioral and computational approaches. The goal of our research is to understand how neuronal circuits integrate sensory inputs and internal state and convert this information into behavioral responses.

Projects

Atlas of the zebrafish brain

We are mapping the long-range connectivity of the zebrafish brain and address the question of how many discrete neuron types exist.

Technologies for circuit interrogation

We devise and adapt a wide variety of technologies to investigate how neural circuits process information and generate behavior.

Molecules, cell types, circuits

We classify neuronal cell types and localize gene expression domains to better understand structure, function and development of the brain.

Vision to action

Specific visual stimulus configurations release particular behaviors. We investigate how visual stimuli are transformed to motor outputs.

Cichlid neuroethology

Cichlids from the great East African lakes show a diverse repertoire of behaviors. We apply advanced neurobiological and genetic methods to crack the gene-brain-behavior code. more