We are hiring a research assistant (technician) to work on information seeking projects, including an expansion into models of OCD. Excellent opportunity to get hands-on systems neuroscience research experience in the Axel lab at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute. Apply here: bit.ly/3MAG5G2

Of course, forgot to tag #neuroskyence 🧠🧪 with our exciting results showing information seeking in mice, from collab with @kanakarajanphd.bsky.social @cdmdc.bsky.social @ryanpaulbadman1.bsky.social and Ethan Bromberg-Martin. Reposting our fab analysis with CEBRA from @trackingactions.bsky.social

The separate water and information value representations were also evident in low-dimensional embedded dynamics in OFC, suggesting they are an important decodable aspect of OFC activity during information seeking.

We observed a population of neurons that differentially responded to odors that predicted the mouse could receive information, and this information-prediction representation reflected the mouse's choice to seek information on a trial-by-trial basis.

So, we recorded neural activity in our information seeking mice using miniaturized microscopes and tracked individual cells across days.

Are mice curious? Like humans, monkeys, birds, and rats, do they have an innate desire for knowledge, even if it offers them no external benefit?