Research Abstract:
We study the genetic, molecular, and neuronal mechanisms underlying behavioral plasticity at different time scales by using the powerful genetic model, Drosophila melanogaster and the emerging model for social behaviors, the European honey bee Apis mellifera. We currently focus our attention on the activity of ion channels and ion transporters in the peripheral and central nervous systems. We ask where, when, and how the function of specific genes is affecting behavioral plasticity and the behavioral response to environmental and social signals.
Selected Publications:
Shah A*, Ben-Shahar Y*, Moninger TO, et al. Motile Cilia of Human Airway Epithelia Are Chemosensory. Science 2009 (In Press). .*Equal contribution.
Sun Y, Liu L, Ben-Shahar Y, et al. TRP channels distinguish gravity sensing from hearing in Johnston’s organ. PNAS 2009 (In Press).
Ben-Shahar Y, Nannapaneni K, Casavant TL, et al. Eukaryotic operon-like transcription of functionally related genes in Drosophila. PNAS 2007 104: 222–227.
Whitfield CW, Ben-Shahar Y, Brillet C, et al. Genomic dissection of behavioral maturation in the honey bee. PNAS 2006 103: 16068–16075.
Ben-Shahar Y, Robichon A, Sokolowski MB and Robinson GE. Influence of gene action across different time scales on behavior. Science 2002 296: 741-744.
Last Updated: 08/10/2009 |