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Philippe Vernier

 

Development and Evolution of Neurotransmission (DEN)

In the central nervous system of vertebrates, the neurons that synthesize monoamines (dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin) modulate numerous critical functions for organisms to survive in a changing environment.

Examples of such functions are emotions, motivation, decision-making, sensori-motor programming, control of body temperature, of maternal behaviour…etc.
To understand how these groups of neurons have been recruited or coopted during the evolution of chordates and vertebrates, we are comparing the anatomical and functional organization of monoamine systems in representatives of vertebrates and chordates, and more particularly in the zebrafish (Danio rerio), but also in birds, lampreys, and protochordates (ascidia, amphioxus).

We are also analysing the genetic mechanisms, which drove differentiation of monoamine systems and the diversification of their functions.
These research aim at understanding which mechanisms and which adaptive constraints drove the diversification of monoamine systems in vertebrates.