Context dependent micturition
Mice form social dominance hierarchies.
Social rank influences multiple aspects of biology, including behavior and physiology. In mice, one clear indicator of social status is urination pattern. We are investigating the neural circuits that connect social hierarchy to micturition behavior, and how these circuits emerge and mature across development.
Image credit: Igor Stramyk
Aged mice as a new model for nocturia
Urination patterns change as we age.
We use aging mice to model nocturia, a common and disruptive condition in older adults characterized by nighttime urination. Our work shows that aging disrupts the circadian regulation of urination and bladder gene expression, including loss of rhythmic Piezo1—a mechanosensory ion channel. These findings highlight a novel link between circadian dysfunction and bladder sensitivity, pointing to new therapeutic avenues.
Image credit: Albert Allotey (Bedford Lab)
The effect of hibernation on learning and memory
Chipmunks adapt to Wyoming winter.
We are investigating the ecological causes and consequences of shifting torpor patterns in chipmunks. Using behavioral and transcriptomic approaches, we are characterizing changes in cognitive function and gene expression in the brains of hibernating animals. Our goal is to uncover the cellular and molecular basis of torpor-related changes in learning and memory.
Image credit: Cindy Goeddel