Genomics of Neural & Behavioral Plasticity

Research

How does the genome help orchestrate complex forms of behavior? There are two master control systems, the brain and the genome. The role of the brain in behavior is immediately obvious to most people, but the role of the genome is less so — or in some cases, even controversial (e.g., “nature vs. nurture”).  

The Genomics of Neural and Behavioral Plasticity Research Theme draws together a team of researchers from neuroscience, animal behavior, ecology and evolutionary biology, informatics, and physics to examine four interrelated domains of neuroscience, behavior, and genomic biology:

  • How the nervous system responds to environmental stimuli, including social stimuli involved in auditory and olfactory communication
  • How some types of stimuli are able to affect the genome by altering gene expression in the brain
  • How changes in gene expression result in changes in brain and behavior
  • How genetic diversity among species contributes to the diversity or conservation of behavioral responses to common environmental stimuli

The theme will address these issues by studying various “neurogenomic decision-making systems” in a diverse array of animals, both in the lab and in the field. Theoretical approaches from physics will be used to help search for deep generalizations, and informatics will be used to search for common genomic mechanisms in different animal systems.

By building synthesis across these systems, researchers hope to gain a fuller appreciation of how the genome and the brain control behavior. Findings in this area may have practical application in the development of medical therapeutics for mental health, aging, and developmental disorders.

Songbird Genome Organization
An international consortium of scientists aiming to merge the power of genomics with the richness of songbird biology.


Songbird Neurogenomics Initiative
Study of songbirds may illuminate relationships between genes, brains, and behavior.


Social Insects Training Initiative

BeeSpace
An Interactive Environment for Analyzing Nature and Nurture in Societal Roles
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