Dr. Lutz Wallhorn

Our research focuses on how changes in serotonergic signaling contribute to the development and manifestation of anxiety and depression. With specific optogenetic manipulation of the serotonergic system, our group investigates the molecular mechanism of these disorders at the cellular level and in freely behaving mice.

During my Ph.D. I was investigating the effects of a specific top-down center on early olfactory processing: The anterior olfactory nucleus (AON). The AON is a part of the olfactory cortex where bulbar inputs are integrated into odor percepts. Standard Methods and Specialized Techniques: • Data Analysis • Intracranial surgery (mice) • In vivo electrophysiology • In vivo Calcium imaging • Behavioral experiments in mice • Optogenetics • Histology and confocal microscopy

Title of Master Thesis: „Influence of the 5-HT1B autoreceptor on anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior in mice“ Methods: • Production of adeno-associated viruses • Intracranial surgery • In vivo electrophysiology • Behavioral animal testing • Confocal imaging • Immunohistochemistry

Title of bachelor thesis: „Creation and characterization of light-activated G-Protein coupled receptors” Methods: • Cloning and subcloning • PCR • Cell culture (HEK293 cells) • In vitro electrophysiology (HEK293 cells) • Confocal imaging • Immunohistochemistry • Optogenetics