Howard Hughes Medical Institute - Sternson Lab

We are interested in the origin of our most fundamental motivations – behaviors that are physiologically imperative for survival. Our lab combines advanced molecular and systems neuroscience approaches in order to understand the neurobiology of survival needs such as hunger and thirst.

Research Approach

We primarily focus on neurons that induce hunger. Our work starts in the hypothalamus and its interactions with a variety of subcortical forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain areas. We have developed and refined many tools to investigate cell types in different brain areas. We are currently focused on the problems of cell type specification using RNASeq, cell type-specific neural circuit function using opto/chemogenetics, and developing deep-brain calcium imaging approaches that can be integrated with all of the above information. These technical approaches are pursued in the context of behavioral testing paradigms to deconstruct the motivational properties of need-sensing neurons.