Development and Function of Hypothalamic Neural Circuits

Within the brain, this plasticity is afforded by neural circuits that function robustly in a largely unpredictably environment and can rearrange in ways that allow more efficient responses to future stimuli. The research group ‘Developmental Genetics of the Nervous System’ was established in July 2008 with the long-term goal of understandings the logistics of building neuron types and circuits that can adapt to enviroment. We approach this question by focusing on the development and function of neural circuits in hypothalamus, a key integrative center in the brain that controls immense number of crucial bodily functions such as sleep, reproduction, food intake, and stress response. Our main biological model is the zebrafish, which shares conserved developmental mechanism with mammals, yet contains much fewer neurons making it easier to analyze and manipulate these neurons. Our basic approach is to combine tools available in developmental biology with those available in connectivity and circuit function analysis.

Molecular Mechanisms for Hypothalamic Neuronal Differentiation and Effects of Environment

By combining forward genetics and genomic approaches together with biochemical analysis of protein function, we investigate basic paradigms for hypothalamic neuronal subtype specification and differentiation.  Further, by subjecting larvae to different growth conditions we investigate how hypothalamic development is altered under varying environmental conditions that challenge homeostasis.

Hypothalamic Stress Circuit Connectivity and Function

By monitoring and manipulating connectivity and neuronal activity in transgenic zebrafish expressing various genetically encoded probes, we study the development and functional properties of select hypothalamic circuits and how these circuits affect behavior. Our special interest lies in the circuitry underlying stress response whose hyperactivation is implicated in depression and anxiety disorders in humans.