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Sensory Systems and Behaviour

Group Leader:



January 2008-present Group Leader, EMBL-CRG Systems Biology Unit, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona
2003-2007 Postdoctoral Fellow, Vosshall Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University
2003 PhD University of Cambridge
1999-2003 Predoctoral Fellow, EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute
1999 BA in Theoretical Physics, Université Libre de Bruxelles

Summary
The mission of our group is to unravel structure-function relationships between neural circuits, sensory coding and adaptive behaviours. We are interested in understanding how odour tracking comes about in terms of circuit computation. This problem is tackled in the olfactory system of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster larva. Our research combines a variety of experimental and computational techniques aiming to define how naturalistic odorant stimuli are encoded and processed in the olfactory system. In particular, we are developing new computational tools to monitor and classify stereotypical behaviours automatically. We are seeking to identify circuits involved in the processing of olfactory information and the making of decisions underlying chemotaxis.
Research Lines
Peripheral representation of odour stimuli
Sensorimotor algorithm directing larval chemotaxis
Identification of new centres participating to orientation behaviour
Neural logic of multisensory integration
Selected Publications

Alex Gomez & Matthieu Louis.
Active sensation during orientation behavior in the Drosophila/ larva: more sense than luck
Current Opinion in Neurobiology DOI 10.1016/j.conb.2011.11.008 (2011).
Gomez-Marin A, Stephens GJ, Louis M..
Active sampling and decision making in Drosophila chemotaxis
Nature Communications 2:441. doi: 10.1038/ncomms1455 (2011). PubMed ID: 2186300.abstract
Mishra D., Louis M., Gerber B.
Adaptive Adjustment of the Generalization - Discrimination Balance in Larval Drosophila
J Neurogenet 24(3):168-75 (2010). PubMed ID: 20807100.abstract
Gomez-Marin A, Duistermars BJ, Frye MA, Louis M.
Mechanisms of odor-tracking: multiple sensors for enhanced perception and behavior
Front Cell Neurosci 4:6 (2010). PubMed ID: 20407585.abstract
Asahina K, Louis M, Piccinotti S, Vosshall LB.
A circuit supporting concentration-invariant odor perception in Drosophila
J Biol 8(1):9 (2009). PubMed ID: 19171076.abstract

 
 
 

Group Members