Hans Hofmann

E-mail:
hans@mail.utexas.edu
Office:
NMS 3.306
(512) 475-6754
Lab:
NMS 3.324
(512) 475-7318
Fax:
(512) 471-3878

Education

• M.S., Biology (Animal Physiology), University of Tübingen, 1993
• Ph.D., Biology, Max-Planck Institute for Behavioral Physiology and University of Leipzig, 1997

Research Interests

The research in Dr. Hofmann's laboratory seeks to understand the molecular and hormonal mechanisms that underlie social behavior and its evolution. African cichlid fishes are an ideal model system to address these questions because of their recent and rapid radiations that have resulted in hundreds of phenotypically diverse species. Our work uses a broad spectrum of approaches, ranging from ecological studies in the East African Great Lakes to functional genomics using custom-made cDNA microarrays for gene expression profiling in the brain. We also employ hormonal perturbations, neuroanatomical techniques and advanced microscopy, and bioinformatics tools. Although we have been working on a variety of topics in several model systems, current projects focus on two main areas: 1) Identifying genes that are involved in implementing social dominance and sex roles in the Tanganyikan mouthbrooder Astatotilapia burtoni; and 2) a comparative analysis of the ecological and molecular basis and evolution of divergent social organization (monogamy vs. polygamy) in a group of closely related (monophyletic) species, the Ectodini cichlids from Lake Tanganyika. By carefully and systematically querying the brains of these fish, we can use expression profiling to identify the molecular building blocks of complex behavior.

For more information see also the Hofman Lab website.

Teaching

Bio 361T Comparative Animal Physiology (every spring semester)

Publications

• Trainor BC, Hofmann HA (2007): Somatostatin and somatostatin receptor gene expression in dominant and subordinate cichlid fish. Behavioral Brain Research, in press.
• Aubin-Horth N, Desjardins J, Martei Y, Balshine S, Hofmann HA (2007): Behavioral, hormonal, and gene expression plasticity in broodcare helpers of the African cichlid fish, Neolamprologus pulcher. Molecular Ecology, in press.
• Pollen AA, Dobberfuhl AP, Scace J, Igulu MM, Renn SCP, Shumway CA, Hofmann HA (2007): Environmental complexity and social organization sculpt the brain in Lake Tanganyikan cichlid fish. Brain, Behavior & Evolution, in press.
• Trainor BC, Hofmann HA (2006): Somatostatin regulates aggressive behavior in an African cichlid fish. Endocrinology, 147:5119ˆ5125.
• Hofmann HA (2006): GnRH signaling in behavioral plasticity. Current Opinion in Neurobiology 16:343-350.
• Aubin-Horth N, Landry CR, Letcher BH, Hofmann HA (2005) Alternative life-histories shape different brain gene expression profiles in males of the same population. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 272:1655-1662.
• Aubin-Horth N, Letcher BH, Hofmann HA (2005) Interaction of rearing environment and reproductive tactic on gene expression profiles in Atlantic Salmon. Journal of Heredity, 96: 261-278.
• Renn SCP, Aubin-Horth N, Hofmann HA (2004) Biologically meaningful expression profiling across species using heterologous hybridization to a cDNA microarray. BMC Genomics, 5:42(1-13).
• Hofmann HA (2003) Functional Genomics of Neural and Behavioral Plasticity. Journal of Neurobiology, 54: 272-282.
• Hofmann HA, Schildberger K (2001) Assessment of strength and willingness to fight during aggressive encounters in crickets. Animal Behaviour, 62:337-348.
• Hofmann HA, Fernald RD (2001) What cichlids tell us about the social regulation of brain and behavior. Journal of Aquariculture and Aquatic Sciences, 9:17-31.
• Hofmann HA, Fernald RD (2000) Social status controls somatostatin-neuron size and growth. Journal of Neuroscience, 20:1248-1252.
• Stevenson PA, Hofmann HA, Schoch K, Schildberger K (2000) The fight and flight responses of crickets.