Research
Molecular, cellular, and circuit mechanisms of behavioral plasticity
What are the circuit mechanisms that regulate habituation learning?
Our recent work has identified multiple loci within the nervous system that may be relevant for driving habituation learning. We are investigating whether and how activity within these neuronal populations changes during learning and how activity is disrupted in animals that cannot learn.
How does post-translational palmitoylation drive plasticity?
We have identified post-translational palmitoylation through the enzyme Zdhhc17/Hip14 as one critical mechanism underlying habituation of the acoustic startle response in larval zebrafish. We are now focused on identifying the relevant targets and where they act within the nervous system.
How does the nervous system limit plasticity?
Discarding irrelevant stimuli is critical to the healthy functioning of the nervous system. So too is limiting plasticity in order to maintain appropriate behavioral thresholds. We have identified a handful of mechanisms that suppress habituation learning and now we are identifying where they act within the relevant circuitry.