Geneticists have relied on outward appearances, or phenotypes, to build hypothesis about gene functions and pathways.  In this spirit, the Barr lab uses forward (phenotype-to-genotype) and reverse genetics (gene-to-function) screens to understand the molecular basis of sensory behaviors. 

Most recently, we have been interested in how sensory receptors get targeted to their site of action: cilia located on the distal ends of dendrites.  Young Bae and Karla Knobel performed a screen looking for mutations that affect the localization of the transient receptor potential polycystin-2 (TRPP2) channel, and Jamie Lyman-Gingerich cloned the first cil gene.  For more, read Bae YK, Lyman-Gingerich J, Barr MM, Knobel KM.  Identification of genes involved in the ciliary trafficking of C. elegans PKD-2.  Dev Dyn. 2008 Apr 13. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 18407554

Julie Maguire (Neuroscience graduate student) recently joined the lab in January 2009.  Welcome to the wonderful world of worms.



Young-Kyung Bae successfully defended her thesis and moved to sunny California (Stathopoulos Lab, Caltech).  She is evolving into a fly person!

Dr. Nate Schroeder started in August 2008 and is interested in how the environment shapes the nervous system and animal behaviors.

Dr. Robert O’Hagan started in February 2008 and is studying the TRP polycystins using in situ electrophysiology and molecular genetics.  Bob is one of a few scientists in the world who can measure electrical recordings from tiny worm neurons.  Go Bob!