Welcome to the Section of Neurobiology

The Section of Neurobiology of the Department of Biological Sciences is composed of a vibrant neuroscience community of faculty, students, post docs and technical specialists who pursue research aimed at understanding the basic biological mechanisms that underlie neuron and brain function. Areas of investigation span the range from structural biology to neural gene expression and neural network analysis.

Laboratories in the section are housed in the HEDCO Neuroscience Building on the UPC campus of USC where researchers have access to state of the art equipment for analyzing neural function. The Section is located in close proximity to the laboratories of faculty in Molecular and Computational Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Engineering, with whom we have formed many fruitful collaborations.

Faculty Position, William M. Keck Chair in Biological and Psychological Sciences

The Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles CA is seeking a distinguished full professor to fill the Keck Chair in Biological and Psychological Sciences, to be appointed as Professor of Biological Sciences and/or Professor of Psychology.

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. and be internationally recognized neuroscientists working at the interface of these two disciplines. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, learning and memory, cognition, motivation and emotion, behavioral genetics, and sensory processing, and may involve any model system. More information about the relevant programs at USC can be found at the following websites:

http://dornsife.usc.edu/psyc/home/

http://dornsife.usc.edu/bisc/neurobiology/home/

http://www.usc.edu/programs/neuroscience/

To apply for this position, applicants should submit in PDF form a cover letter, curriculum vitae and statement of current and future research interests, along with the names of three individuals who could provide letters of reference.

Materials must be submitted online to keckchairinbpsc@college.usc.edu.

Formal review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

USC strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. Women and men, and members of all racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

NEWS from the Section of Neurobiology

Neurobiology Scientist targets genetic cause of infant mortality. The disease is heartbreaking. It turns babies into ragdolls and extinguishes lives just as they are getting started. But USC’s Chien-Ping Ko is working to unravel the mystery behind the leading genetic cause of infant mortality, uncovering how Spinal Muscular Atrophy disconnects muscles from the mind.
Click here to see how research in the lab of Dr. Emily Liman has uncovered the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pungency of carbonation.
Dr. Chien-Ping Ko will be one of the Keynote Speakers at the 2011 SMA Symposium at SFN entitled "Pretzels and endplates: Motor neuron pathology and the role of SMN in motor neuron development".
Recent work from Dr. Chien-Ping Ko's lab on treatments for ALS was highlighted in reports by both the Alzheimer Research Forum and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
We are proud to announce the newest member of the Section of Neurobiology! Dr. Dion Dickman will be joining the faculty in 2012. Welcome Dr. Dickman!
Dr. Larry Swanson has been elected as the next President of the Society for Neuroscience. Congratulations Larry!
See how Dr. Tansu Celikel and his lab explore how the brain processes sensory information in this video.
Professor David McKemy was awarded was awarded the USC College of Letters, Arts & Sciences Albert S. Raubenheimer Outstanding Junior Faculty Award.
Sour Research, Sweet Results. In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, Professor Emily Liman reveals the physiology behind all the puckering — how people taste sour.
Speed heals. Professor Samantha Butler and colleagues show that the rate and direction of axon growth in the spinal cord can be controlled, a discovery that one day may help improve treatment for spinal injuries or neurodegenerative diseases.
Sparkling drinks spark pain circuits. The carbon dioxide in fizzy drinks triggers the same pain sensors in the nasal cavity as mustard and horseradish, according to a new study by Professor Emily Liman. Hear Dr. Liman discuss her findings on the Osgood Files Radio Show and check out this video exploring her work into how the brain translates the sensations of carbonation and sour tastes.
New study examines the brain's wiring. The brain has been mapped to the smallest fold for at least a century, but still no one knows how all the parts talk to each other. A study by Professor Larry Swanson in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences answers that question for a small area of the rat brain and in so doing takes a big step toward revealing the brain’s wiring.
When do newborns first feel cold? A new study by Professor David McKemy shows that cold sensing neural circuits in newborn mice take around two weeks to become fully active.
Dr. Larry Swanson elected to the NAS. Larry Swanson, Professor of Biological Sciences, has been newly elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for his work on the organization of neural networks that control motivated behavior.
The Mechanisms of Memory. Professor Michel Baudry published a study that describes a cellular-level chain of events behind the learning and memory process.
Professor Richard Thompson received Gold Medal Award from American Psychological Foundation.
Tweet as can be. Professor Sarah Bottjer published a study showing that a neural circuit in the basal ganglia is necessary for normal development of “syntax” (temporal sequence) but not “phonology” of learned vocal sounds.

Polarized targeting of proteins in neurons Professor Don Arnold and collaborators at Janelia Farm Research Campus have published a study that describes how a combination of molecular motors guides newly synthesized proteins to the dendritic compartment in neurons.USC video link.