Title
Associate Professor

Department
Dept of Bioengineering


Faculty URL
http://bioeng.berkeley.edu/people/cv?facultyid=3254

Research Group
http://www.michaelyartsev.com

Email
myartsev@berkeley.edu


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Research Expertise and Interest
neuroscience, engineering

Research Description
Our lab seeks to understand the neural basis of natural spatial, social and acoustic behaviors in mammals. We believe that to truly understand the brain, one needs to?carefully select the appropriate model system for the scientific question at hand. Therefore, we utilize one of the most spatially and socially sophisticated mammals - the bat. In the spatial domain, we take advantage of the bat's natural ability to form new spatial memories and execute complex forms of navigation with extreme precision. In the social domain, we utilize the natural desire of bats to interact and communicate with one another in social groups. This allows us to obtain unique insights into the neurobiology of social memory and communication as the underpinnings of group social behavior. To?facilitate?our research we pioneered a wide range of neural technologies?in freely behaving and flying bats?for monitoring and manipulating neural activity (e.g.,?wireless electrophysiology?and?wireless calcium imaging?in?individuals,?pairs?or?groups). Together,?by taking a neuroethological approach?we aim to uncover core principles of brain function that subserve complex natural behaviors in the mammalian brain