Dean Castillo
Assistant Professor of School of Biological Sciences
The Castillo Lab
Brain and Behavior
Molecular Neuroscience
e-mail: dean.castillo@utah.edu
B.A. 2009, Cornell University; Ph.D. 2016 Indiana University; NIH NRSA Postdoctoral Fellow, 2016-2019 Cornell University
RESEARCH:
The genetic and neural basis of female mating decisions and speciation
Overview
Our lab focuses on how sexual interactions, behavior, and species interactions contribute to species diversity. Speciation remains one of the most important unsolved problems in evolutionary biology because the genetic and neural basis underlying the traits that drive diversification are still largely unknown. Our lab studies the genetic and neural mechanisms that lead to the rapid evolution of complex traits such as female and male mating behaviors. To determine the behavioral basis of these traits we are developing genetic tools in several species of Drosophila and integrating population and molecular genetics with neurobiology experiments.
We can answer fundamental questions in behavior and neurobiology by using female and male mating behaviors to study the forces and mechanisms that lead to the rapid evolution of complex behavioral traits. For example, on approach our lab relies on is making mutations in defined genetic backgrounds that show divergent behaviors. Making mutations in multiple strains is allowing us to disentangle how genes with many complex roles and broad expression in the brain contribute to female mate preference. For females to distinguish between potential mates and exhibit mate preference, males must produce reliable signals. We are determining the genetic basis for differences in male courtship signals. In addition we are determining whether neural circuits important for courtship learning and memory allow males to change their courtship behavior across mating interactions. By incorporating natural genetic variation into these studies, we can connect natural genetic variation to phenotypic variation in a predictive framework.