A. Don Murphy Lab, Neurobiology of Invertebrate Feeding Behavior / Helisoma

Whole mount of buccal ganglion of Helisoma trivolvis stained for SCPb immunoreactivity.

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Laboratory Research Foci:
Neuronal mechanisms underlying rhythmic behaviors; Sensori-motor integration and the modulation of neuronal circuitry involved in multiple behaviors; Comparitive neurobiology of Molluscan feeding and the evolution of neural circuits and behaviors.

Rhythmic behaviors such as feeding, locomotion and respiration are critical for sustaining life in multicellular animals. Motor patterns mediating these behaviors are typically generated by neuronal circuits called central pattern generators (CPGs). The motor output of multifunctional CPGs is modulated as a function of environmental stimuli and internal behavioral states so that an appropriate behavior is produced at any given time. Feeding and regurgitation behaviors in gastropod molluscs have rhythmic components mediated by a multifunctional CPG in the buccal ganglia.

Dr. A. Don Murphy, Neurobiology UIC

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Dr. A. Don Murphy
Department of Biological Sciences M/C 066
University of Illinois at Chicago
845 W. Taylor, Chicago, IL 60607
Email: dmurphy@uic.edu

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Quinlan, EM, Arnett, BC, and Murphy AD. (1997). Feeding stimulants activate an identified dopaminergic interneuron that induces the feeding motor program in Helisoma. J. Neurophysiol. 78.(2): 812-824.

Technical Contacts: Chris Brannen, University of Illinois at Chicago; Department of Biological Sciences (1999).
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