Innate behavior

Research Interests

We are interested in the nature of defined neural circuits: how activation of circuits elicits specific behaviors. Animals exhibit behavioral repertoires that result in stereotyped sexual and social responses to their environment. Innate behaviors do not require learning or experience and are likely to reflect the activation of developmentally programmed neural circuits. It has been extremely difficult in complex organisms to study a circuit beyond the early stages of sensory processing. We have been using Drosophila melanogaster because flies exhibit complex behaviors that are controlled by a nervous system that is numerically five orders of magnitude simpler than that of vertebrates making it an attractive model system to understand a circuit. We use a combined behavioral, genetic, imaging and electrophysiological approach to determine how defined neural circuits and their activation elicit specific behaviors.

A postdoctoral position is immediately available. We seek creative, highly motivated candidates with the ability to work independently and a strong background in molecular biology. Previous expertise in electrophysiological or imaging techniques is an advantage. Interested candidates should send CV, cover letter, and contact information of 2-3 references to vasconcelos@igc.gulbenkian.pt

Group Members

Nuno Martins	External Masters Student
	Tel: 21 446 4697
Sophie Dias	Trainee
	Tel: 21 446 4697
Dennis Herrmann	2008 PGCN PhD Student
	Tel: 21 446 4697

Publications

Datta SR*, Vasconcelos, ML*, Ruta V, Luo S, Wong A, Demir E, Flores J, Balonze K, Dickson BJ, Axel R. * authors contributed equally (2008). The Drosophila pheromone cVA activates a sexually dimorphic neural circuit Nature 452 :473-477

Zhan XL, Clemens JC, Neves G, Hattori D, Flanagan JJ, Hummel T, Vasconcelos, ML, Chess A, Zipursky SL. (2004). Analysis of Dscam diversity in regulating axon guidance in Drosophila mushroom bodies Neuron 5 :673-86

Hummel T*, Vasconcelos, ML*, Clemens JC, Fishilevich Y, Vosshall LB, Zipursky, SL. * authors contributed equally (2003). Axonal Targeting of Olfactory Receptor Neurons in Drosophila is Controlled by Dscam. Neuron 37 :221-231

Dronkert ML, de Wit J, Boeve M, Vasconcelos, ML, Van Steeg H, Tan TL, Hoeijmakers JH, Kanaar R. (2000). Disruption of SNM1 causes increased sensitivity to the DNA interstrand cross-linking agent mitomycin C. Mol Cell Biol 20 :4553-61