Modulation of sensory perception by hormones
Our research uses a combination of advanced genetics, behavioral paradigms, in vivo optical and electrophysiological recordings as well as viral tracing techniques to study the neural circuits and molecular mechanisms that underlie this crucial modulation of sensory perception.
Coding of innate and learned modulations
Currently, we are focusing on modulation by endocrine state with an emphasis on sex steroids. We recently discovered a naturally-occurring switch in odor valence that depends on the reproductive state in female mice. Leveraging a variety of powerful tools, we use this new model to unravel the circuits underlying naturally-occurring modulation of perception and to study whether this form of untrained (“innate”) modulation is encoded in a similar or different way than learned valence switching.
Single olfactory receptors set odor detection thresholds
Dewan A, Cichy A, Zhang J, Miguel K, Feinstein P, Rinberg D, Bozza T.
Nat Commun. 2018 Jul 23;9(1):2887. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-05129-0. PMID: 30038239; PMCID: PMC6056506
Extracellular pH regulates excitability of vomeronasal sensory neurons
Cichy A, Ackels T, Tsitoura C, Kahan A, Gronloh N, Söchtig M, Engelhardt CH, Ben-Shaul Y, Müller F, Spehr J, Spehr M.
J Neurosci. 2015 Mar 4;35(9):4025-39. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2593-14.2015. PMID: 25740530; PMCID: PMC6605571