Dr. Mark Shein-Idelson
Neuroscience, Life Sciences
Join us to solve one of the oldest enigmas in neuroscience: what is the function of brain states and how these states evolved.
Neuroscience
Life Sciences
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics
In this project, we will utilize the simpler and highly structured state organization in Pogona Vitticeps to expose the full repertoire of brain states in a naturally behaving animal. We will take advantage of the limited diversity of motor movements in Pogona to expose the link between population patterns and defined behaviors. We will furthermore exploit the unique evolutionary positions of reptiles as closest to stem amniotes, in which the layered cortex and hippocampus first emerged, to reveal the forces that pushed the emergence of brain states in evolution. Finally, through a comparative analysis of brain state properties between different lizards and mammals, we will extract the fundamental properties and functions of brain states and the network that supports them.
Methods: Large-scale electrophysiology in freely moving animals. Quantitative behavioral analysis.
Application Deadline: January 10, 2024
Background in Neuroscience (preference will be given to candidates with good quantitative skills and experience in large-scale electrophysiology/animal behavior).
* There are several open positions in the lab. Please contact us to get more information.
