EMBO Member
Herwig Baier
EMBO 2013
MPI for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
Genetic and optical analysis of circuits and behavior
The ultimate task of the brain is the generation of behavior. The goal of our research is to understand how networks of neurons convert sensory inputs into behavioral responses. With the help of 'optogenetic' actuators, such as Channelrhodopsin (ChR2) or Halorhodopsin (eNpHR), we are able to optically turn on or off subpopulations of neurons in zebrafish larvae. This approach is helping us to dissect the circuits that control behavior.
Keywords
Neural circuits / behavior / zebrafish / optogenetics / axon guidance