Assistant Professor
College of Medicine
Departments of Neuroscience and Psychology
1835 Neil Ave. Room 53
Columbus, OH 43210
614-688-2270
Laurence.Coutellier@osumc.edu
Research Interests
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Genetics
Current Research
The Coutellier laboratory studies neural circuits underlying social and cognitive functions. They investigate genetic and environmental factors that regulate the development of these circuits. Her team examines how genetic modifications and early environmental conditions affect these circuits and lead to altered social and cognitive functions. The laboratory also investigates how, in some cases, these modifications and conditions can lead to disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Research Techniques
The laboratory uses various behavioral techniques in transgenic and non-transgenic mice. Techniques used include behavioral manipulations during specific windows of vulnerability and behavioral testing of social and cognitive functions.
Other techniques include pharmacological approaches (systemic and central administration of drugs) to determine the contribution of various neurotransmitters to higher behavioral functions. They also use optogenetics to modify gene expression transiently and locally in awake and behaving mice.
In addition to in vivo techniques, they use molecular biology in brain tissue to assess gene and protein expression in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and other regions.
Education
PhD: Justus Liebig University of Giessen
Postdoctoral Training: National Institutes of Health; Stanford University