Panula Lab

We are interested in the biological basis of neurological diseases related to the aminergic and peptidergic systems. To elucidate the role of both aminergic and peptidergic activating systems in the brain, a multidisciplinary approach is used. Initial detailed mapping of major aminergic and peptidergic systems using 2D and 3D confocal microscopy gives a strong background for functional studies and behavioral approaches. Automated behavioral analysis is used to analyze the effects of neurotoxins and translation inhibition of specific genes on distinct identified pathways in the brain. The method also allows extensive analysis of mutant phenotypes which become apparent either soon as the fish start to behave or later when the fish are fully mature. A number of genes which cause severe human neurological diseases were cloned. Initial analysis of expression, followed by translation inhibition, microarray analysis, microscopic and behavioral analysis are used to characterize the functional significance of these new genes.