PROJECT SUMMARY
Innate behaviors are hard-wired and shared among most mammals, however, it is still not fully understood how
these behaviors arise and what neuronal mechanisms control behavior selection. The goal of this proposal is
to study feeding behavior as a typical innate behavior to determine the fundamentals of a circuit that connects
sensing of the body’s energy state to motor centers for food consumption. This will be done using an
integrative approach at behavior, circuit, neuron and synapse level that takes advantage of my existing
and proposed training in neuroscience. Results will shed light on the neuronal computations that
transform sensations of energy state into motor sequences of chewing and biting and will advance our
understanding of behavior selection.
Feeding behavior is elicited by changes in bodily energy state (fasted vs. fed) that result in jaw movements of
chewing and biting. In contrast to other behaviors, the motor and premotor neurons for jaw muscles are located
in the brain and not the spine. Thus, the arc from hunger sensation to motor control is fully brain-based. I
previously identified a simple circuit for food consumption that connects neurons sensitive to signals of bodily
energy state via only one intermediate node to premotor areas controlling biting and chewing. Building on this
data, the mentored phase aims to delineate the role of premotor neurons and their activity patterns with
respect to the hypothesis that premotor neurons are structured in a motor map for bite purposes. This aim
aligns with my training plan to gain expertise in RNA profiling and single cell calcium imaging through my
advisory committee and the high-quality scientific core and support opportunities at Rockefeller University.
Additionally, I will also take advantage of the career development and lab management training opportunities
offered locally and by the Tri-Institute area. Next, during the independent phase, I will use these skills to
elucidate the computations that lead to the behavior selection of feeding and the effect of internal sensations of
energy state change. Specifically, it will be determined how competing behaviors (social interactions, fear) can
suppress feeding and how integration of food-derived sensations (sight, smell) and bodily signals causes food
consumption. This phase is the logical extension of my extensive training in neuroscience and my career
objectives to lead my own research group for which this proposal forms the basis of my research direction.
Results from this study will shed light on the conceptual principles of how innate behaviors are encoded along
a simple sensory to motor circuit. Additionally, results will also provide insight into the mechanisms of energy
state coupling with food intake which has important implications for obesity and eating disorders. Finally, this
proposal will equip me with the training and initial data needed to start an independent research program that
is different from my mentors and aligned with my career goals of studying innate behavior in the context of
interoception.
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