Department of Biology Seminar Series: Niels Ringstad

Description

Niels Ringstad, professor in the Department of Cell Biology at the NYU School of Medicine, will give a talk titled "Modulation of Behavior by Host-Microbe Interactions" for the Department of Biology. Gira Bhabha will co-host with Cristina Santarossa.

Abstract:

Microbes exert powerful effects on animal physiology either as pathogens or as commensals. I will describe our efforts to understand how host-microbe interactions affect the animal nervous system to influence behavior. Using behavioral genetics of the nematode C. elegans, we have identified neural circuits and molecular mechanisms that mediate powerful effects of environmental microbes on foraging and reproductive behaviors of C. elegans. In parallel studies, we have developed screening approaches to identify neuroactive microbial metabolites, and I will discuss our progress towards the discovery of compounds that impact serotonin signaling in vivo.