The long-term goal of the Jeanne Lab is to understand how higher-order neural functions—such as sensory perception, memory, and decision making—arise from elementary circuit mechanisms. We believe that we can achieve this by studying neural computation, which provides a common language to link circuit mechanisms to higher-order function.
Our mission is therefore
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To understand how common biophysical, cellular, and circuit motifs implement relevant computations.
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To elucidate the higher-order neural functions and behavior enabled by these computations.
Our approach is to study neural computation in the fruit fly. We use the fly because their mini-brains are simpler to understand, yet nonetheless capable of performing a suite of sophisticated neural and behavioral functions.
Specific questions of interest include
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How does the brain combine information from distinct sensory channels? How does the brain transform this information into a format more useful for behavior?
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How does the brain combine information over time? Neurons operate on timescales faster than many behaviors. How do neural circuits bridge this gap in timescale?
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How do ensembles of neurons interact to control behavioral choices?