Welcome to the GitHub organization for the Otis Lab, part of the Department of Neuroscience at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, SC.
The Otis Lab, led by Dr. James M. Otis, Ph.D., investigates the neurobiological mechanisms underlying appetitive and reward-seeking behaviors. Our research spans adaptive behaviors like foraging to maladaptive ones such as drug-seeking, with a focus on understanding the neural circuits driving these processes. We aim to uncover insights into the brain’s role in neuropsychiatric conditions, including addiction, through cutting-edge neuroscience techniques.
Our interdisciplinary team combines expertise in neuroscience, behavioral analysis, and advanced technology to push the boundaries of discovery in brain function and behavior.
Our lab’s work centers on:
- Neural Circuit Mapping: Using techniques like optogenetics, cre-driven rabies tracing, and two-photon microscopy to identify and manipulate the brain circuits involved in reward-seeking.
- Behavioral Studies: Developing custom mouse behavioral assays, including a novel head-fixed drug self-administration model, to study addiction-related behaviors with precision.
- Cellular Mechanisms: Employing patch-clamp electrophysiology to explore how neurons and glial cells contribute to reward processing and drug-seeking.
We welcome collaboration with researchers, students, and professionals interested in neuroscience and addiction research. To learn more or contribute:
- Email: otis@musc.edu
- Website: Otis Lab at MUSC
Unless otherwise noted, the code and resources in our repositories are licensed under the MIT License.
Last updated: April 9, 2025