Ongoing
Effects of nicotinic administration during developmental learning on the spectral and temporal features of songs in the zebra finch
Advisor

Objectives

We aim at conducting in vivo nicotine administrations to juvenile songbirds that are in the process of learning their songs (sensorimotor phase, ~2 months). The first primary goal is to quantify the temporal and spectral features of their songs during development in comparison to a juvenile group that acts as control, with the aim to assess any differences in the spectro-temporal features of sound that might be altered due to nicotinic exposure. This would implicate the nicotine-related pathways in the motor cortex that might be playing the role in hindering the vocal learning process. A better understanding of these pathways could help in the development of therapeutics targeting cognitive deficits often observed during nicotine withdrawal.
Methods
Build a sound recording setup with multiple sound-isolation boxes (20 boxes) for song recording. Handle songbirds (adding seeds/water), make sure that the sounds in each box are being collected appropriately on the computers (install microphones, amplifiers, etc…), clean up the collected data (songs) via custom-built software, carry the sound analysis (feature extractions like entropy, amplitude, pitch, frequency modulation, etc…). Nicotinic/saline administration via needle injections.
Academic Majors
Academic Majors
Undergraduates and Masters students from all disciplines of engineering are welcome to apply for this project.

Preferred Skills

No specific skill is required, but it’s preferred if students know basic Python/MATLAB, and ready to learn how to use specific software to clean the collected data and conduct the analysis.

Advisor

Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

arij.daou@aub.edu.lb

Office: Bechtel 407, Extension: 3412, Lab website

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