Prof. Yonatan Kupchik

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Electrophysiology

We record from single identified neurons in acute slices to evaluate how they communicate with other identified neurons in normal and pathological conditions. We use the whole-cell patch clamp technique in combination with optogenetics/Chemogenetics and other tracing methods.

Optogenetics/Chemogenetics

A main goal in our lab is to identify specific neurons that may be involved more than others in producing pathological motivated behavior. In order to activate/inhibit specific neurons Ex vivo or In vivo we use optogenetic tools or Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs).

Circuitry mapping

We use anterograde and retrograde tracers as well as various antibodies to explore the morphology and connectivity patterns of specific neurons in the reward system.

Behavior

We use various behavioral protocols that model drug addiction and motivation for palatable food in mice. The main models we use are 1) cocaine/food self-administration; 2) cocaine/food conditioned place preference (CPP); 3) cocaine sensitization.

Behavioral pharmacology

In order to identify the role of specific receptors or other proteins in states of pathological motivation we painlessly microinject pharmacological agents (such as receptor blockers) directly into a specific brain region in awake mice and examine the effect on motivational behavior.