Manfred Gahr

Manfred Gahr is a Professor and Director of the Department of Behavioural Neurobiology at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence. His research focuses on understanding the neurobiological and endocrine mechanisms underlying avian vocal communication, sexual behavior, and sensory processing. Gahr's work integrates molecular, neuroanatomical, and behavioral approaches to study how hormones like androgens and estrogens shape brain development and vocalization patterns in birds such as songbirds and chickens. He leads a multidisciplinary team investigating the genetic and environmental bases of neural sex differences, emphasizing vocal learning and sexual selection.

Key projects include studying song plasticity in canaries, testosterone's role in songbird vocal control systems, and the evolution of vocal learning in parrots. Gahr's lab combines field observations with lab-based techniques like transcriptomics and electrophysiology. His research also explores the impact of hormones on avian behavior, including mate choice and social competition. Collaborations involve institutions worldwide, addressing topics from gene expression to ecological adaptations.

Publications highlight discoveries in avian song systems, endocrine regulation of behavior, and genomic insights into avian evolution. Gahr's work bridges neuroscience, endocrinology, and evolutionary biology, contributing to understanding how environmental signals and hormones shape complex behaviors. The department hosts advanced facilities for behavioral and neurobiological studies, supporting both fundamental and applied research in biological intelligence.