Manfred Gahr

Manfred Gahr is a Professor and Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, leading the Department of Behavioural Neurobiology. His research focuses on the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying sexual differentiation of neural circuits and vocal behavior in birds, particularly songbirds and hummingbirds.

• Primary Research: Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience, Cellular & Systems Neuroscience
• Methods: Interdisciplinary approach combining bioacoustics, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, endocrinology, transcriptomics, and genomics
• Key Topics: Sexual dimorphism, hormone-sensitive song systems, vocal learning, and genomic underpinnings of neural development

His team investigates how developmental programs and hormonal fluctuations lead to sex-specific neural differentiation and behavioral outcomes, with implications for understanding sexual selection and neural plasticity.

• Recent Publications: Explore testosterone-driven gene networks, vocal communication in zebra finches, and neural correlates of cooperative duetting
• Collaborators & Students: Dr. Alena Lemazina, Dr. Shouwen Ma

Contact: manfred.gahr@bi.mpg.de | Lab Website