Animal behavior is mediated by the nervous system, according to information encoded in the genome. The Ben-Shahar lab uses a variety of behavioral, genetic, genomic, biochemical, and molecular techniques to decipher the genetic architecture that drives specific behaviors. We use the powerful model of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster to understand how the function of specific genes in distinct neuronal circuits gives rise to behaviors such as feeding and mating. We are also interested in taking advantage of the recent sequencing of 12 genomes of species from the Drosophila genus, which now allow us to ask questions about the evolution of behavior. Currently the lab is focusing on several projects: •The role of ligand-gated ion channels as neuronal modulators and sensory transducers •The role of neuropeptides and their receptors in modulating behavior •The role of divalent cation transporters in feeding induction and food selection •The evolution of behaviorally-related genomic modules in the genus Drosophila Photo caption: Larval GFP expression driven by the promoter of lounge lizard, a member of the Degenerin/ENaC family of cation channels. Dotted line represents the outline of the larval head. Note the expression pattern in two distinct classes of sensory neurons: one mechanosensitive multi-dendritic neurons (md) and two external chemosensory neurons (es) projecting to the terminal taste organ (TO).