Reproductive neuroendocrinology is our main interest. Although we concentrate on  avian reproduction, our lab is a little non-traditional in that we don’t limit our interests to one study organism. At present we have ongoing studies involving birds, sheep, horses, hamsters and humans. Many of these are collaborative studies with other labs in the USA and abroad. Not only is collaboration part of the fun of scientific research, but it allows for student exchange and often results in the generation of novel ideas and perspectives.

Projects in the lab are numerous, varied, and can range from analysis at the molecular level to the behavioral level - but all are within the theme of reproductive neuroendocrinology. Therefore, our focus is the brain and how it transduces cues from the external and internal environments into changes in an organism’s hormonal status. For example, listening to song can influence a female bird’s reproductive success – which brain areas are involved? Sickness can reduce reproductive output – how does the immune system link up with the reproductive system? How do different hormones interact within the brain to influence song output?

Some animal models are more established or are easier to manipulate than others, depending on the question in hand. Hence we need to be familiar with the reproductive biology of several vertebrate species. Much of our recent work has been on the recently-identified neuropeptide, gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), which was first discovered by my collaborator Professor Kazuyoshi Tsutsui at Hiroshima University in Japan. We believe that GnIH is of fundamental importance to the regulation of reproduction in all vertebrates, and we are currently characterizing its actions and interactions with other hormones.

 Even though the lab is busy (2 postdocs, 2 grad students and 9 undergrads), people at all levels who are interested in our lab should feel free to contact George Bentley (gb7@berkeley.edu) about possible projects or vacancies. We are currently participating in the Eastside project (http://socrates.berkeley.edu/~borp/eastside1.htm). Through this project, motivated students from Eastside College Preparatory School gain lab and research experience, thereby increasing the strength of their future college applications. This year Noel Cruz has joined us and will be learning immunocytochemical techniques.