Building neurons and circuits
Dendrites and axons show extraordinarily diverse forms and modes of patterning, with important implications for nervous system wiring and neuronal function. Our lab is interested in how neurons acquire their type-specific morphology and organization and how this organization underlies circuit function. To approach this problem, we use molecular, genetic, anatomical, and behavioral approaches to identify the mechanisms that sculpt somatosensory circuits during development.
Development of somatosensory circuitry
How are dendritic territories and axon targets established? How do cell-cell interactions determine these morphologies?
Functional investigation of internal body sensing
How do internal sensory neurons detect body status and maintain homeostasis?
Generation of a versatile Gal4 resource for developmental and functional studies of the fly nervous system
In collaboration with the Clandinin lab (Stanford University) we have generated and annotated expression patterns of a large collection of InSITE Gal4, lexA, and QF lines.