Research Overview

A central focus of the Dahir lab is to understand how homeostatic circuits integrate external/internal sensory inputs with physiological signals to drive and refine innate and flexible behaviors. We are particularly interested in the control of ingestive behaviors, which are strongly shaped by sensory and motor processes. To address this, we employ a range of experimental approaches spanning behavioral, cellular, and molecular levels to determine how these processes regulate ingestive behavior and how their dysfunction contributes to metabolic disorders. Our experimental strategies integrate systems neuroscience approaches—including chemogenetics, optogenetics, and bulk calcium imaging—with cellular methods such as slice patch-clamp electrophysiology and slice calcium imaging to define microcircuit connectivity within and across circuits. Our goal is to contribute to ongoing efforts to understand and address metabolic disorders. 

Current Objectives in the Lab

1. Orosensory and motor control of ingestive behaviors

2. Sensory integration at the level of the pons; primary exteroceptive/interoceptive inputs to pontine neurons

3. The biology of the convergence of the two central melanocortin receptors (MC3R and MC4R)