Our group aims to understand how behaviors emerge from the combinatorial activity of neural networks. We focus on the study of sensory integration and decision-making processes using as a model the gustatory system of Drosophila melanogaster, due to its accessibility to image, manipulate genetically and ease to study its behavioural output. The laboratory uses a mix of neural tracing techniques, in vivo calcium imaging, immunohistochemistry and behaviour analysis to decipher how genes and neurons shape animal behavior.

Representative Publications

Sánchez-Alcañiz JA , Silbering A, Croset V, Zappia G, Sivasubramaniam AK, Abuin L, Sahai SY, Auer TO, Cruchet S, Neagu-Maier L, Sprecher SG, Yapici N and Benton R. " An expression atlas of chemosensory ionotropic glutamate receptors identifies a molecular basis of carbonation detection. " Nature Communications . 9,984 , - DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06453-1 ( 2018 )

Sánchez-Alcañiz JA , Zappia G, Marion-Poll F and Benton R. " A mechanosensory receptor required for food texture detection in Drosophila. " Nature Communications . 8, 14192 , - DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14192 ( 2017 )

Bartolini G* , Sánchez-Alcañiz JA*, Osorio C, Valiente M, García-Frigola C, Marín O. " Neuregulin 3 mediates cortical plate invasion and laminar allocation of GABAergic interneurons. " Cell reports . 18 , 1 - 14 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.12.089 ( 2017 )

Sánchez-Alcañiz JA , Haege S, Mueller W, Pla R, Mackay F, Schulz S, López-Bendito G, Stumm R and Marin O. " Cxcr7 controls neuronal migration by regulating chemokine responsiveness. " Neuron . 69(1) , 77 - 90 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.12.006 ( 2011 )

López-Bendito G* , Sánchez-Alcañiz JA*, Pla R*, Borrel V, Pico E, Valdeolmillos M and Marin O. " Chemokine signaling controls intracortical migration and final distribution of GABAergic interneurons. " Journal of Neuroscience . 28 , 1613 - 24 DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4651-07.2008 ( 2008 )