The University of Arizona

Department of Physiology - The University of Arizona

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Faculty

Richard Levine

Professor of Neurobiology and Physiology

Contact Information

Address: Gould Simpson 427
PO Box 210077
Tucson, AZ 85724
Phone: (520) 621-6654
Email: rbl@neurobio.arizona.edu


Website: http://www.neurobio.arizona.edu/faculty/levine/index.php

Research Interests

People in the Levine laboratory share a common interest in the function and development of neuromuscular systems. Neuromuscular systems, including the motoneurons that control movement and the muscles that they innervate, are modified throughout life by many factors including hormones, learning, training, and aging. We are using the molecular and genetic power of Drosophila to explore the neural circuits that control movement and the mechanisms through which steroid hormones regulate their function and postembryonic modification. Using techniques such as intracellular and whole-cell patch recording, dye injection, confocal microscopy and cell culture we are describing the biophysical properties, dendritic anatomy, and synaptic connections of individual motoneurons. Recent experiments explore the role of calcium and potassium currents in determining the functional properties of identified motoneurons that participate in locomotor behavior.

Graduate Program Affiliations

Insect Science

Neuroscience

Physiological Sciences

Publications

Hartwig C, Worrell J, Levine RB, Ramaswami M, and Sanyal S. Jun 2008. Normal dendrite growth in Drosophila motor neurons requires the AP-1 transcription factor.. Devel Neurobiology, 68 (10):1225-45

Worrell JC, and Levine RB. Jun 2008. Characterization of Voltage-Dependent Ca2+ Currents in Identified Drosophila Motoneurons in situ.. J Neurophysiology, 100:868-878

Barbee SA, Estes PS, Cziko AM, Hillebrand J, Luedeman RA, Coller JM, Johnson N, Howlett IC, Geng C, Ueda R, Brand AH, Newbury SF, Wilhelm JE, Levine RB, Nakamura A, Parker R, Ramaswami M. Dec 2006. Staufen- and FMRP-containing neuronal RNPs are structurally and functionally related to somatic P bodies. Neuron, 52:997-1009

Miller JE Levine RB. Oct 2006. Steroid hormone activation of wandering in the isolated nervous system of Manduca sexta. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Phys, 192:1049-62

Dulcis D, Levine RB, Ewer J. Sep 2005. Role of the neuropeptide CCAP in Drosophila cardiac function. J Neurobiol, 64:259-74

Consoulas C, Levine RB, Restifo LL. May 2005. The steroid hormone-regulated gene Broad Complex is required for dendritic growth of motoneurons during metamorphosis of Drosophila. J Comp Neurol, 485:321-37

Dulcis D, Levine RB. Jan 2005. Glutamatergic innervation of the heart initiates retrograde contractions in adult Drosophila melanogaster. J Neurosci, 25:271-80

Dulcis D, Levine RB. Oct 2004. Remodeling of a larval skeletal muscle motoneuron to drive the posterior cardiac pacemaker in the adult moth, Manduca sexta. J Comp Neurol, 478:126-42

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