Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wulf Haubensak

Head of Department
Department(s): Department of Neuronal Cell Biology (Center for Brain Research), Circuit Neuroscience (The Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) )
Position: Professor
Location: Spitalgasse 4
E-Mail:
Download Curriculum vitae (CV)

Research Area:
Neurosciences

Research Interests:
Ethology, Genetics, Behavioral, Neural Pathways, Neuroanatomy

Principle Investigator(s):

• Haubensak, Wulf (Head)
• Haubensak, Wulf

Grant(s):

• Circuit mechanics of emotions in the limbic system (Responsible)
• Impulsivity control circuits (Responsible)
• Patterning valence specific memory dopamine subsystems (Responsible)

Abstract:

We are particularly interested in exploring neuronal circuits between amygdala and cortex and how they attribute salience (important) and valence (good or bad). We want to understand how these networks build affective models of our environment to guide our experience by interoceptive intuition (gut feelings).

In a neurogenetics initiative, we are currently adopting integrated workflows that bridge circuit neuroscience with neurogenetic data to investigate how gene sets bias circuit activity, affective states and behavior. This will help to understand constraints and freedoms between genetic variance, circuit computation and affective traits – processes that drive behavioral diversity in health and psychiatric conditions.

Techniques:

We use molecular, chemogenetic, and optogenetic methods, electrophysiology and Ca²⁺imaging and fMRI data to map neural circuits. For behavioral characterization, we used standardized behavioral test battery for affective profiling. My laboratory also employs methods for mining comparative genetic and brain data in silico.

Selected Publications:

1. Piszczek L, Constantinescu A, Kargl D, Lazovic J, Pekcec A, Nicholson J, Haubensak W (2022) Dissociation of impulsive traits by subthalamic metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 eLife, 11
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2. Kargl D, Kaczanowska J, Ulonska S, Groessl F, Piszczek L, Lazovic J, Buehler K, Haubensak W (2020) The amygdala instructs insular feedback for affective learning eLife, 9
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3. Pfaff D, Tabansky I, Haubensak W (2019) Tinbergen’s challenge for the neuroscience of behavior PNAS, 116 (20): 9704-9710
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4. Groessl F, Munsch T, Meis S, Griessner J, Kaczanowska J, Pliota P, Kargl D, Badurek S, Kraitsy K, Rassoulpour A, Zuber J, Lessmann V, Haubensak W (2018) Dorsal tegmental dopamine neurons gate associative learning of fear Nature Neurosci, 21 (7): 952-962
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5. Ganglberger F, Kaczanowska J, Penninger J, Hess A, Bühler K, Haubensak W (2018) Predicting functional neuroanatomical maps from fusing brain networks with genetic information Neuroimage, 170: 113-120
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