The team studies the rules and mechanisms underlying experience-dependent plasticity in insect models, in particular honey bees. Using an integrative neuroscience approach, we aim at characterizing the neural bases of cognitive processing in these animals, focusing on various sensory modalities and behavioral contexts.

In our research, we adopt conceptual frameworks from experimental psychology and neuroethology to study the complexity of insect cognition, focusing on questions revolving around visual, olfactory and gustatory learning and memory. We use behavioral approaches, which led to the establishment of various novel protocols for insect conditioning, as well as neural approaches, combining multiple invasive techniques to record neural activity in the bee brain (calcium imaging recordings, electrophysiology and neuropharmacological interference, among others). Molecular tools are also used to unveil the molecular cascades and genetic architectures underlying cognitive processing in bees. Our work has also led to the establishment of virtual reality scenarios for honey bees in which their visual learning and decision-making are studied.

Address :
Cassan, Bat. A, Campus Pierre et Marie Curie 7-9 quai Saint Bernard 75005 Paris

Team leader :
GIURFA Martin
Name of co-team leader :

Administrative Contact Name :
Alix Rousselet

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