Department of Neurobiology

closeup of fly

What We Can Learn From How Flies Set the Thermostat

Tiny, cold-blooded animals like flies depend on their environment to regulate body temperature, making them ideal “canaries in the coal mine” for gauging the impact of climate change on the behavior and distribution of animal species. Yet, scientists know relatively …






Microscopy image of a dopamine neuron subtype that displays activity correlated to locomotion but no response to rewards. Image by Maite Azcorra and Zachary Gaertner

Dopamine controls movement, not just rewards

New study finds dopamine neurons are more diverse than previously thought

In a new Northwestern University-led study, researchers identified and recorded from three genetic subtypes of dopamine neurons in the midbrain region of a mouse model.

Although there is a …



VINE SCHOLARS PHD PROGRAM

A new Northwestern University program named VINE allows undergraduate neuroscience majors to capitalize on existing research and have a more direct path to a PhD degree

A new Northwestern University program aims to decrease the time to a PhD for research-invested neuroscience undergraduates while simultaneously increasing diversity and strengthening Northwestern’s position in the ever-growing scientific field.

The Vertically Integrated Neuroscience Education Program, or VINE, will …