Dr. Maria Margarita Behrens: Contributions to Neurobiology
Dr. Maria Margarita Behrens, a faculty member in the Computational Neurobiology Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and an adjunct professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, has contributed to research on brain development and psychiatric disorders. Her work focuses on decoding the molecular signatures of brain cell types. She is a principal investigator in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network, where she assists in generating single-cell epigenomic atlases for global research use.
Educational Background and Career Progression
Behrens was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, and raised in Santiago, Chile. She initially studied architecture before pursuing biochemistry, influenced by her parents who were scientists. Her interest shifted to neuroscience after observing patients in a psychiatry ward, which led her to investigate the biological basis of perception and mental illness.
Her scientific training spanned multiple countries and disciplines:
- Brazil: Master's thesis on aquatic fungi development at the University of São Paulo.
- Spain: Doctoral dissertation on genetic networks governing sugar metabolism in yeast at the Autonoma University in Madrid, followed by postdoctoral work on brine shrimp development.
These experiences provided a foundation of techniques and analytical frameworks. She transitioned to neuroscience at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where she integrated her biochemistry and molecular biology background with neuropharmacology while working with Dr. Dennis Choi.
Research on Ketamine and Epigenomics
During her time at the University of California, San Diego, Behrens studied brain aging and the effects of ketamine. Her research revealed unexpected mechanisms in living animals, with findings published in Science. This work explored ketamine's properties as an antidepressant and its implications for neural circuit organization.
Subsequently, Behrens shifted her focus to developmental epigenomics, initiating a collaboration with Drs. Joseph Ecker and Bing Ren. Her laboratory investigates the formation of neural circuits in the prefrontal cortex during the perinatal period and the influence of maternal environment on brain development through epigenomic modifications. This research aims to identify molecular events that may contribute to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Contributions to the BRAIN Initiative
Through the NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network, Dr. Behrens and her collaborators have developed atlases of the mouse brain, which detail genes expressed in every cell type and their regulatory regions. A similar atlas for the human brain is currently under development. These resources are designed to facilitate targeted research and potential therapeutic advancements.
Scientific Philosophy and Personal Life
Behrens advocates for collaborative team structures in science, emphasizing collective effort. She has identified challenges within scientific funding and peer review systems that she believes hinder collaboration. Her mentoring approach integrates various specialists, including genomicists, behavioralists, computer scientists, and neuroscientists.
Outside her professional work, Behrens enjoys travel to national parks, music, and painting. She values relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. She has named Svante Pääbo as a admired living person for his work on ancient DNA, and Charles Darwin as a historical figure she would dine with due to his analytical thinking. Her life philosophy is "if you cannot do anything about it, call it good."