How does behavioral novelty emerge across biological scales?
In the Coleman lab we seek to deepen our understanding of the sources of behavioral diversity in animals through investigation of the complex relationship between genes, brains, and behavior. By integrating molecular genetics, neuroscience, and an evolutionary framework, we examine how certain circuit architectures facilitate rapid behavioral innovations, particularly in response to environmental or social pressures. Our approach sheds light on the broader principles that shape animal behavior, offering insights that span from molecular mechanisms to social adaptations.
What are the molecular switches evolution flips to shape neuronal properties or synaptic specificity?
We’re pairing single cell sequencing approaches with powerful neurogenetic tools. This approach allows us to identify the precise genetic loci that differ across species and test their causal roles in establishing species-specific circuit architectures and patterns of behavior.
We seek to understand the principles that govern where and how circuits can be tweaked to produce novel behaviors. To do this we are taking advantage of the remarkable genetic access Drosophila offers to the mating circuits of diverse species. Through in vivo functional imaging of homologous neurons across species or lab-evolved populations we are elucidating the points of evolutionary flexibility and constraint in mating circuits.
Behavior evolves through a complex interplay of systems beyond just the circuit. How do genetic, circuit, anatomical, and social interactions influence behavioral diversification? As an inroad to this question, we are studying role of the male sex combs in mating. This behavioral model is remarkably differentiated across Drosophilids along two axes that are readily manipulatable – male anatomy and behavior. By analyzing how changes in comb anatomy or combing behavior relate to female encoding of male desirability we aim to connect the evolution of circuits and behavior to changes in functional morphology that enable animals to evolve new modes of interaction within their social environment.
