Research in the Alhadeff Lab uses genetic mouse models in combination with in vivo neural activity manipulation and monitoring techniques to understand how cell-type specific brain circuits influence behavior.

In vivo neural activity monitoring: We use complementary in vivo calcium imaging techniques to understand endogenous regulation of brain circuits. We use two-photon microscopy to measure neural activity at the resolution of individual neurons, and dual-wavelength fiber photometry to understand population level dynamics of neurons and circuits.

In vivo neural activity manipulations: To determine how neural activity changes lead to behavior, we use optogenetic and chemogenetic strategies to activate and inhibit cell-type specific neuron populations in the brain.

Gastrointestinal manipulations: To determine how gut signaling influences neural activity and behavior, our lab surgically manipulates the gut – for example by infusing nutrients into the GI track through chronically implanted catheters, or by manipulating gut-brain nerve signaling.

Circuit mapping: We use a host of viral approaches to determine direct and multisynaptic projection patterns of cell-type specific neuron populations across the brain.

Pharmacology: We directly target brain regions of interest for microinfusions of drugs and peptides, often in combination with optogenetics or chemogenetics, to determine how receptor signaling influences behavior.

Behavior: At the core of our research interests is the behavioral output of our neural manipulations. To this is end, we combine neural activity monitoring and manipulations with a wide variety of behavioral assays to understand how specific brain circuits influence behavior.