We are interested in understanding some of the fundamental questions in neuroscience: How are sensory inputs perceived by the nervous system? How do neural circuits process information to generate behavior? How do genes and drugs of abuse regulate these processes? To address these questions, we use the genetic model organism C. elegans because of its simple and well characterized nervous system. We take a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular genetics, cell biology, behavioral analysis, functional imaging, and electrophysiology.