A surprising behavioral effect, discovered in mice by neuroscientists at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown (CCU), in Lisbon, Portugal, strongly suggests that serotonin is involved in a biological mechanism which affects the animals’ motivation.

Who are today’s scientists? Inspired by the project “Humans of New York”, Ar Magazine turns the spotlight on individual humans of science every month.

Names: Scott Rennie and Pooja Viswanathan
Labs: Behavioral Neuroscience at the CCU and Andreas Nieder’s lab at the University of Tuebingen
Project titles: Using a game theoretical approach to study cooperative behavior in rats and Neural representation of numerosity in primate frontal and parietal areas

We are constantly being exposed to mixtures of scents. But, as incredible as it may seem, we are pretty good at separating them from each other. Our brains accomplish this many times a day with no apparent effort, but little is known about the way they do it. Now, Zach Mainen from the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown and colleagues from other countries have, for the first time, come up with computer program that can do it.

Is there diet that is healthier than all others? This question has proven difficult to answer. Now, a new study by scientists at the Behavior and Metabolism Lab, and colleagues working in other countries, suggests that genomics is the key to optimizing the protein composition of a diet.

Serotonin, one of the major chemical messengers serving neuronal communication, is usually associated with the direct regulation of affective states and mood in general. But growing evidence suggests that one of the core functions of this neurotransmitter may be to facilitate our adaptation to changes in the world around us – which, in turn, may indirectly impact mood.

Who are today’s scientists? Inspired by the project “Humans of New York”, Ar Magazine turns the spotlight on individual humans of science every month.

Name: Sam Walker
Lab @ CCU: Behavior and Metabolism Lab
Title of PhD project: Modulation of taste processing and nutrition by internal states

More…

Photo credit: Marina Fridman

In a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon, use advanced genetic and behavioural tools to establish that walking speed is in fact a key indicator of female’s receptivity and discover neurons that control mating in the brain of fruit flies.

Neuroscientists have shown, for the first time, that gut bacteria (the microbiome) “speak” with the brain to control food choices in animals. They identified two species of bacteria that have a radical impact on animal dietary decisions.

With the right microbiome, fruit flies are able to face unfavorable nutritional situations. – Zita Santos

Read the full story here.

Who are today’s scientists? Inspired by the project “Humans of New York”, Ar Magazine turns the spotlight on individual humans of science every month.

Name: Catherine French
Lab @ CCU: Neurobiology of Action lab
Post-doc Project: Investigating the functions of a protein called FOXP2, which is mutated in a speech and language disorder

More…

Photo credit: Marina Fridman

Joseph Paton, group leader at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon, Portugal, is among the awardees announced today, May 9th, 2017, by the International Research Scholars Program. Paton is one of 41 outstanding investigators chosen from 1500 submitted applications.