Neuronal type identity is central to the development and function of neural circuits, as it instructs both the connectivity of neurons as well as their physiological properties. Our previous work has identified the combinations of transcription factors (terminal selectors) that encode the unique identity of ~200 distinct neurons in the Drosophila visual system. Connectivity of this circuit is genetically “hardwired” and highly stereotypical: each neuronal cell type will only form synapses with a specific subset of other neuronal types in its vicinity while avoiding others. While this implies that terminal selectors must also control connectivity along with other type-specific features of neurons, the gene regulatory mechanisms that link early cell fate decisions to neuronal differentiation and circuit formation are still mostly unknown.

Research in our lab combines high throughput single-cell analyses of gene expression and chromatin accessibility (multiomics) with advanced computational modeling approaches to generate hypotheses on transcription factor function in specific neurons. These hypotheses are then immediately addressed at the bench through state-of-the-art genetic and imaging approaches.