Our lab seeks to understand how neural circuits encode complex behavior. In particular, we study the model organism C. elegans, a microscopic worm with a simple nervous system capable of rich behaviors. We have pioneered optogenetic microscopy techniques to optically manipulate and monitor neural activity in worms as they move. Read more »
My research combines techniques from neuroscience, physics, engineering and computer science to study the dynamics of neural circuits in awake moving organisms. We are located at the inter-disciplinary Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics.
To study neurocircuits, we build tools that monitor and manipulate neural activity in a worm with light.
Computer vision software identifies targets on the moving worm.
Laser light is precisely targeted to neurons in the worm.
Optogenetic proteins inhibit the worm's ventral nerve cord in response to green light.
Changes to the worm's behavior are precisely quantified.
These tools provide functional information about how neurons work together in a circuit.
The worm's neural activity is measured simultaneously with behavior.
An interneuron's activity (AVB) is plotted with behavior.
The Leifer Lab is located in the Carl C. Icahn Lab (credit: carbonnyc)
