Developmental and Behavioral Genetics

Traditionally, development and behavior have been viewed as separate fields. It is becoming increasingly evident, however, that development and behavior rely on common sets of genes and molecules. Additionally, normal functioning of organ systems that serve behavior is directly tied to appropriate development of these systems. Thus, the biology of development and behavior are intimately bound, and gaining an understanding in one area can greatly facilitate advances in the other.

Faculty members working in this area constitute an especially diverse group. Graduate students can train in laboratories employing the most powerful of genetic model systems in animals (mouse and Drosophila), plants (Arabidopsis) or microbes toward investigating the molecular underpinnings of establishing a body plan, differentiation and specialization of cells, or behavioral responses to external stimuli. Students also have the opportunity to train in systems that have obvious connections to improving agricultural production. Additionally, students can explore the relationship between mutations and disease in humans or animals. Regardless of the research mentor, students in this area gain broad training in classical genetics, molecular genetics, and molecular biology, with specialized training in fields ranging from learning and memory, genomic analyses, anatomy, breeding, linkage analyses and regulation of gene expression.