Faculty in the Division of Neurobiology (NEU) engage in advanced research in neuroscience from the molecular to the integrative and computational levels. Specific topics under investigation include: molecular and biophysical analysis of ion channels; receptors and signal transduction mechanisms; formation and plasticity of synapses; control of neural cell fate and pattern formation; neuronal growth-cone guidance, target recognition and regeneration; mechanisms of sensory processing in the visual, auditory, olfactory and gustatory systems; and development and function of neural networks. The preparations being investigated range from cells in culture, to simple invertebrate systems and model genetic organisms, to the mammalian cerebral cortex. The faculty offer an integrated approach to training in modern neurobiology, spanning the use of molecular and classical genetics; molecular, biochemical, cell biological and anatomical methods; electrophysiological and biophysical techniques; functional genomics; advanced optical imaging; and computational analysis. Members of the Division (as well as faculty from the Divisions of Cell & Developmental Biology and Genetics & Development) also participate in the campus-wide Neuroscience Graduate Program, which is administered by the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute. 

A selection of papers published by MCB graduate students in Neuro labs:

Carroll EC, Berlin S, Levitz J, Kienzler MA, Yuan Z, et al. (2015) Two-photon brightness of azobenzene photoswitches designed for glutamate receptor optogenetics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 112(7):E776-85.

Friedman D, Hoagland A, Berlin S, Isacoff EY. (2015) A spinal opsin controls early neural activity and drives a behavioral light response. Current biology:CB. 25(1):69-74.

Hamby AM, Rosa JM, Hsu CH, Feller MB. (2015) CaV3.2 KO mice have altered retinal waves but normal direction selectivity. Visual Neuroscience.   32:E003

Morrie RD, Feller MB. (2015) An Asymmetric Increase in Inhibitory Synapse Number Underlies the Development of a Direction Selective Circuit in the Retina. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 35(25):9281-6.