Catherine DULAC, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Harvard University

 Friday, June 21 2013, 11h30-13h   Salle R229, 2ème étage, Centre Biomédical des Saints Pères 45 rue des Sts Pères, 75006 Paris

Molecular and Neural Architecture of Instinctive Social Behavior in the Mouse

Our group studies the molecular architecture of neuronal circuits underlying sex- and species-specific social behaviors in the mouse. We have taken advantage of the molecular and genetic accessibility of the mouse olfactory system to investigate the neuronal logic underlying odorant- and pheromone-mediated signals. Our goal is to understand the basic principles of neuronal circuit function that enable an animal to identify a predator, a potential mate, or a conspecific intruder and to initiate appropriate behavioral responses. We will present recent molecular and electrophysiological data that attempt to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying instinctive neural and behavioral responses in the mouse.