My Own Lab at Westlake University is OPEN! We are recruiting cool people at all levels NOW!
By tinkering behaviors and neural circuits in distinct animal species (mouse, sugar glider, etc), we are exploring new ways of doing social neuroscience in vivo, in silico and at home!

We also found that touch is a key sensory modality for mice to perceive social environment, with lack of touch sensation leading to the emergence of social need, and its presence providing social satiety. (5/7)

We further identified two molecularly defined interconnected neuronal populations in the hypothalamus, one activated by social isolation, the other by social reunion, together mediating a dynamic balance between “social need” and “social satiety” states. (3/7)

First, we characterized a "social rebound" behavior triggered by social isolation, which suggests a homeostatic regulation of social need. Intriguingly, different mouse strains showed distinct social rebound intensity after isolation, indicating a genetic basis for social need. (2/7)

In our new paper @dulaclab.bsky.social, we investigated a fundamental question in social neuroscience: the origin of "sociality" (the need of being together) at the levels of behavior, neuron type, neural circuit and sensory modulation. (Detailed digest below) (1/7)
www.nature.com/articles/s41...

We also found that touch is a key sensory modality for mice to perceive social environment, with lack of touch sensation leading to the emergence of social need, and its presence providing social satiety. (5/7)

We further identified two molecularly defined interconnected neuronal populations in the hypothalamus, one activated by social isolation, the other by social reunion, together mediating a dynamic balance between “social need” and “social satiety” states. (3/7)

First, we characterized a "social rebound" behavior triggered by social isolation, which suggests a homeostatic regulation of social need. Intriguingly, different mouse strains showed distinct social rebound intensity after isolation, indicating a genetic basis for social need. (2/7)

We also found that touch is a key sensory modality for mice to perceive social environment, with lack of touch sensation leading to the emergence of social need, and its presence providing social satiety. (5/7)

Via projections to oxytocin neurons, lateral habenula and arcuate nucleus, Isolation neurons coordinate the enhanced social drive, aversive emotion and inhibition of eating during short-term social isolation. The projections from Reunion neurons to VTA led to dopamine release during reunion. (4/7)

We further identified two molecularly defined interconnected neuronal populations in the hypothalamus, one activated by social isolation, the other by social reunion, together mediating a dynamic balance between “social need” and “social satiety” states. (3/7)

First, we characterized a "social rebound" behavior triggered by social isolation, which suggests a homeostatic regulation of social need. Intriguingly, different mouse strains showed distinct social rebound intensity after isolation, indicating a genetic basis for social need. (2/7)

We also found that touch is a key sensory modality for mice to perceive social environment, with lack of touch sensation leading to the emergence of social need, and its presence providing social satiety. (5/7)

We further identified two molecularly defined interconnected neuronal populations in the hypothalamus, one activated by social isolation, the other by social reunion, together mediating a dynamic balance between “social need” and “social satiety” states. (3/7)

First, we characterized a "social rebound" behavior triggered by social isolation, which suggests a homeostatic regulation of social need. Intriguingly, different mouse strains showed distinct social rebound intensity after isolation, indicating a genetic basis for social need. (2/7)

Our paper @dulaclab.bsky.social on social homeostasis is online today! We characterized “social rebound” behavior after social isolation in multiple mouse strains and revealed its neural basis. Intriguingly, soft touch plays a key role in satisfying social need!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...