Mentor Areas
Research Interests: Molecular basis of behavior Key words: Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, Genetics, Metabolism, Aging.
Description:
The Sehgal laboratory is interested in the molecular basis of behavior. The major emphasis is on the mechanisms underlying sleep:wake behavior--the circadian timing of such behavior as well as the need for sleep.
We use primarily a Drosophila model, but also have ongoing mouse projects. With respect to circadian biology, our accomplishments include the identification of circadian clock genes, elucidation of mechanisms by which these genes function together to generate an endogenous clock and by which they synchronize the clock to light, and discovering pathways that transmit signals from the clock and produce overt sleep:wake rhythms. In addition, we have investigated the role of clocks in peripheral (non-brain) tissues in Drosophila as well as mammals. To understand the homeostatic mechanisms that control amount and quality of sleep, we and our collaborators established Drosophila as a model system for sleep research.
This genetic model for sleep allows us to address longstanding questions about sleep regulation and function that were previously difficult to tackle. Ongoing work in the laboratory is directed towards understanding the control of physiology and behavior by the clock, the genetic and molecular basis of sleep, the function of sleep and, finally, the relationship of the circadian and sleep systems to other aspects of physiology.
http://www.med.upenn.edu/sehgal/
Details:
Volunteer
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to volunteers.Paid
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to paying students they engage in their research, regardless of their work-study eligibility.Work Study
Yes
Yes indicates that faculty are open to hiring work-study-eligible students.