Division of Neuroanatomy and Behavior 

Prof. H.-P. Lipp

An integrated top-to-bottom approach to understand the working of the vertebrate brain must integrate ecology, evolution, behavioral individuality, life history, underlying brain mechanisms and their development, and finally the contribution of individual genes. Our approach focuses on various topics.

Ecological brain research and the microevolution of the vertebrate brain

Analysis of the relations between genes, brain and behavior requires knowledge of how and how fast behavior and the common brain structures of vertebrates adapt to environmental parameters. Thus, we study genetic variation of behaviorally relevant brain structures between and within species, focussing on the hippocampal mossy fiber distribution. We have established a field station in western Russia where we study how natural selection is changing hippocampal circuitry of mice. We also study the mossy fiber anatomy of pan-european species living in different habitats. Individual learning abilities of transponder-tagged mice living in outdoor pens are also assessed. Related projects focus on the role of adult mammalian neurogenesis in a natural environment (see below). Finally, such know-how is exploited for collateral studies in ecotoxicology.