Our research uses a broad range of assays in rodents to investigate behavioral states of motivation, emotion and cognition.

We combine fiber photometry recordings with biosensors to record neuronal activity of genetically identified neuronal populations in awake behaving animals. This approach allows to causally link specific behavioral readouts to dynamic patterns of neuronal activity and release of neurotransmitters in real-time with high temporal resolution.

We use optogenetics (photoactivation: channelrhodopsin/chrimson; photoinhibition: halorhodopsin) and chemogenetics tools (DREADDs) to manipulate activity of genetically identified circuits and establish their role in behavioral domains. 

Our research integrates mouse reporter lines and viral-mediated anterograde and retrograde tracing to define neuronal circuitry of selectively identified genetic populations.

We use genetic approaches to identify the transcriptional profile of single cells in a region-specific manner.