investigating the biological basis of decision making in flies

 
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key techniques

  • Drosophila genetics

  • High throughput behavioral assays

  • Calcium imaging

  • Immunohistochemistry

  • Patch clamp electrophysiology

  • Single-cell sequencing

  • q-RT-PCR

  • Closed Cortical Crush Injury

decisions, decisions…

Every moment, organisms must make behavioral decisions that optimize survival and fitness based on internal state cues and external environmental cues. The Barber Lab focuses on key survival behaviors driven by a protohypothalamic region in the fly brain called the pars intercerebralis. How do neurons within the pars intercerebralis sense internal state cues like hunger, tiredness and time of day? How do neurons within the pars intercerebralis sense environmental cues like food availability and taste? And finally, when multiple conflicting cues arrive in the brain, how are signals integrated to allow the fly to select from mutually exclusive behaviors?

If you’re interested in understanding the biological basis of complex behaviors at the molecular, cellular and circuit levels - join us!