Exploring the Genetic Dance of Neurons: What Roundworms Reveal About Behavior

In this episode of Neuroscience Perspectives, we dive into the microscopic world of C. elegans—tiny roundworms that are revolutionizing our understanding of genetics and behavior. Join host John Foxe, PhD, director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester as he chats with Doug Portman, PhD, the Donald M. Foster Professor of Biomedical Genetics, Biology, and Neuroscience, at URMC. Portman’s research unravels the intriguing ways that biological sex shapes neural development and influences behaviors, like the eternal quest for food versus the search for a mate.

Discover how these unassuming creatures serve as a powerful model for understanding complex questions about the brain. What happens in the male C. elegans brain when the urge to find a mate overrides the basic need to eat? And how can these insights inform our understanding of sex differences in human health and disease susceptibility?

Whether you’re a neuroscience enthusiast or just curious about how tiny organisms can help answer big questions—listen, learn, and subscribe to Neuroscience Perspectives today!