Microscopy Facility Director
B.S., University of Wyoming (1997)
Ph.D., University of Iowa (2005)
002 Winston Hall
(336) 758-6591
marrsgs@wfu.edu
Areas of Interest
Brain-behavior relationships, synapse formation
Research Focus
Understanding the precise neural mechanisms that give rise to complex, conditional actions and behavioral responses requires study at molecular, cellular, and whole organism levels. Study of less complex and molecularly malleable organisms provides the foundation for understanding human behavior. The wolf spider is a novel and ideal model organism for the study of aggression and other complex predatory-related behaviors. My research focus involves characterizing conditional wolf spider behavioral aggression patterns that relate to hunger state, mapping and visualizing the underlying neural systems with confocal fluorescent microscopy, and identifying the role of particular neural peptides that control these action patterns.
Selected Publications
Holcomb PS, Hoffpauir BK, Hoyson MC, Jackson DR, Deerinck TJ, Marrs GS, Dehoff M, Wu J, Ellisman MH, and Spirou GA. 2013. Synaptic inputs compete during rapid formation of the Calyx of Held: a new model system for neural development. Journal of Neuroscience 33(32):12954-12969.
Yang S, Adhikari S, Dobbala M, Adusumili S, Rowley JD, Ganikhanov F, Zhang L, Marrs G, Wysolmerski R, and Spirou G. 2013. Multi-color ultrafast laser platform for nonlinear optical imaging based on independently tunable optical parametric oscillators. Applied Physics B, Lasers and Optics 111(4):617-625.
Marrs GS, Morgan WJ, Howell DM, Spirou GA, and Mathers PH 2013. Embryonic origins of the mouse superior olivary complex. Developmental Neurobiology 73(5):384-98.
S Ding, X Qiao, J Suryadi, GS Marrs, GL Kucera, U and Bierbach. 2013. Using fluorescent post-labeling to probe the subcellular localization of DNA-targeted platinum. Angewandte Chemie 52:3350-4.
GS Marrs and GA Spirou. 2012. Embryonic assembly of auditory circuits: spiral ganglion and brainstem. Journal of Physiology, 590:2391-408.
AM Benediktsson, GS Marrs, JC Tu, PF Worley, JD Rothstein, DE Bergles, and ME Dailey. 2012. Neuronal activity regulates glutamate transporter dynamics in developing astrocytes. Glia 60:175-188.
ME Dailey, GS Marrs, and D Kurpius. 2011. Maintaining live cells and tissue slices in the imaging setup. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols Online
Hoffpauir, GS Marrs, PH Mathers, and GA Spirou. 2009. Does the brain connect before the periphery can direct? A comparison of three sensory systems in mice. Brain Research 1277:115-129.
GS Marrs, CS Theisen, and JL Brusés. 2009. N-cadherin modulates voltage activated calcium influx via RhoA, p120-catenin, and myosin-actin interaction. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 40:390-400.
GS Marrs, T Honda, L Fuller, R Thangavel, J Balsamo, J Lilien, ME Dailey, and C Arregui. 2006. Dendritic arbors of developing retinal ganglion cells are stabilized by b1-integrins. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience 32:230-241.
L Qin*, GS Marrs*, R McKim and ME Dailey. 2001. Hippocampal mossy fibers induce assembly and clustering of PSD95-containing postsynaptic densities independent of glutamate receptor activation. The Journal of Comparative Neurology 440:284-298. *Authors contributed equally to this work.
GS Marrs, SH Green, and ME Dailey. 2001. Rapid formation and remodeling of postsynaptic densities in developing dendrites. Nature Neuroscience 4:1006-1013.
JD Rose, GS Marrs, C Lewis, and G Schisler. 2000. Whirling disease behavior and its relation to pathology of brainstem and spinal cord in rainbow trout. Aquatic JD Animal Health 12:107-118.
M Dailey, G Marrs, J Satz, and M Waite. 1999. Exploring biological structure and function with confocal microscopy. The Biological Bulletin 197:115-122.
JD Rose, GS Marrs, and FL Moore. 1998. Rapid, corticosterone-induced disruption of medullary sensorimotor integration related to suppression of amplectic clasping in behaving roughskin newts (Taricha granulosa). Hormones and Behavior 34:268-282.