Research in the Schafer lab: |
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image from wormatlas.org | ||||
Aspects of nervous system function in which we are particularly interested include sensation: how do neurons sense stimuli such as touch and pain, and how do sensory circuits integrate and process this information. We are also interested in behavioural states: how do contextual cues such as satiety and the presence of food influence behaviour through defined neural circuits, and what roles do molecules like dopamine, serotonin and neuropeptides play in these processes. Finally, we are interested in how neural circuits process information; we are particularly interested in the properties of circuits that are wired with gap junctions. |
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In addition to using molecular biology and genetics to investigate these questions, we have also used in vivo neuroimaging to monitor the activities of individual cells in neural circuits. We have also developed machine vision tools to more precisely quantify behavioural phenotypes. |
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