| Affiliations: | Neuroscience Research Leadership Program |
| Project Leader: | Marco Liera
lieram@tamu.edu Psychological & Brain Sciences |
| Faculty Mentor: | Justin M. Moscarello, Ph.D. |
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Meeting Times:
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TBA |
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Team Size:
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3 |
| Open Spots: | 3 |
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Special Opportunities:
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Undergraduate students can gain neuroscience research experience and have the potential opportunity to be included as co-authors on presentations and publications depending on the level of contribution to the projects. In addition, students will gain valuable experience working with animals in a research setting, observing/performing surgeries, running signaled active-avoidance behavior, utilizing chemogenetics/optogenetics, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, and data collection & analysis.
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Team Needs:
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Students seeking to join our lab should anticipate about ~ 10 hours in the lab each week and be ready to commit to the lab for two semesters. We’re seeking team players with strong critical thinking, organizational, and communication skills. |
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Description:
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Stress-susceptible neurons expressing corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) have been shown to modulate the expression of avoidance and defensive behavior selection in a sex-dependent manner in active avoidance. This project will target CRF populations within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), central amygdala (CeA) and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) in order to elucidate the sex-dependent behavioral effects of stress-induced plasticity in BNST, CeA, and PVN circuitry in male and female rats. |