Neuroscience at The University of Chicago

Research Interests

Animals rely on the ability to move for all basic functions from simple escape behaviors to visually tracking prey, from reaching and grasping to chewing and digesting. Movements result from the activity of neurons in the brain and/or spinal cord driving muscle contraction, muscles actuating skeletal elements, the body interacting with the physical environment surrounding it and sensory feedback providing appropriate modulation. The research in our laboratory combines biomechanics and neurobiology to examine movement from an integrative perspective. We use startle behavior and fin movements of fishes as simple model systems for studying motor circuits and how they function in behaviors. Zebrafish provide a valuable study organism for this work as many molecular approaches as well as mutant and transgenic lines are available in this model genetic system. We also study movement comparatively, through the evolution of vertebrates and through their early development. With such comparisons we can examine mechanisms by which motor circuits change through time and with the functions they drive.

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Hale, M. E., M. A. Kheirbek, J. E. Schriefer, and V. E. Prince. 2004. Hox gene misexpression and cell-specific lesions reveal functionality of homeotically transformed neurons. J. Neurosci. 24(12):3070-3076.

Bierman, H. S., J. S. Schriefer, S. J. Zottoli, and M. E. Hale. 2004. The effects of head and tail stimulation on the withdrawal startle response of the rope fish (Erpetoichthys calabaricus). J. exp. Biol. 207:3985-3997.

Thorsen, D. H., J. J. Cassidy and M. E. Hale. 2004. Swimming of larval zebrafish: fin-axis coordination and implications for function and neural control. J. exp. Biol. 207:4175-4183.

Schriefer, J. E. and M. E. Hale. 2004. Strikes and startles of the northern pike (Esox lucius): a comparison of muscle activity and kinematics between S-start behaviors. J. exp. Biol. 207:535-544.

Westneat, M. W., D. H. Thorsen, J. A. Walker, and M. E. Hale. 2004. Structure, function and neural control of pectoral fins in fishes. IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering 29(3):674-683.

Thorsen, D. H. and M. E. Hale. 2005. Development of zebrafish (Danio rerio) pectoral fin musculature. J. Morph. 266:241-255.

Hurley, I., M. E. Hale and V. E. Prince. 2005. Duplication events and evolution of segment identity. Evol. and Devel. 7(6): 556-567.

Hale, M. E., R. Day, D. H. Thorsen and M. W. Westneat. 2006. Coordination and control of pectoral fin gait transitions. J. Exp. Biol. 209:3708-3718.

McLean D. L., J. Fan, S.-I. Higashijima, M. E. Hale, J. R. Fetcho. 2007. A topographic map of recruitment in spinal cord. Nature 446(7131):71-75.

Bhatt, D. H., D. L. McLean, M. E. Hale and J.R. Fetcho. 2007. Spinal interneuron recruitment patterns during escape movements in zebrafish. Neuron 53:91-102.

Skromne, I., D. H. Thorsen, M. E. Hale, V. E. Prince and R. K. Ho. 2007. Molecular mechanisms specifying separate hindbrain and spinal cord regions from the neural plate. Development 134:2147-2158.

Nishikawa K., A. A. Biewener, P. Aerts, A. N. Ahn, H. J. Chiel, M. A. Daley, T. L. Daniel, R. J. Full, M. E. Hale, T. L. Hedrick, D. E. Koditschek, A. K. Lappin, T. R. Nichols, R. D. Quinn, R. E. Ritzmann, R. A. Satterlie, and B. Szymik, 2007. Neuromechanics: An integrative approach for understanding motor control. Journal of Integrative and Comparative Biology 47:16-54.

Thorsen, D. H. and M. E. Hale. 2007. Innvervation of the larval zebrafish pectoral fins. J. Comp. Neurol. 504:168-184.

Margoliash, D and M. E. Hale. 2008. Perspectives: Vertebrate vocalizations. Science 321(5887): 347-348.

Bierman, H. S., S. J. Zottoli, G. Northcutt and M. E. Hale. 2009. Evolution of the Mauthner cell axon cap and the fast-start escape response. Brain Behav. Evol. 73:174-187.