Research Bio
Birds, seasonal breeding, behavioral neuroendocrinology, reproductive physiology, migration, song learning, immune function, melatonin, circadian rhythms, fieldwork.
George Bentley is interested in how the brain detects external cues and transduces them into hormonal and behavioral signals. One example of this is male bird song causing females of the same species to have higher concentrations of reproductive hormones and lay eggs sooner than if she hears no song.
His main research program involves study of newly-identified hormones that influence reproductive activity in all vertebrates, with an emphasis on songbirds. Other areas of interest are hormonal regulation of neuroplasticity, migration and immune function. The hormone melatonin appears to be integral to all of these aspects of avian physiology.
Research Expertise and Interest
hormones and behavior, neuroendocrinology of reproduction
In the News
Blocking Hormone Could Eliminate Stress-Induced Infertility
Berkeley scientists show that the effects of chronic stress on fertility persist long after the stress is gone.
Teaching
Directed Undergraduate Research [INTEGBI 191]
Supervised Internship [INTEGBI 197]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [INTEGBI 199]
Freshman Seminars [INTEGBI 24]
Research Seminar [INTEGBI 291]
Special Study for Graduate Students [INTEGBI 296]
Directed Field Studies [INTEGBI 297]
Special Study in Integrative Biology [INTEGBI 298]
Graduate Research [INTEGBI 299]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [INTEGBI 99]
Thesis Course [INTEGBI H196A]
Thesis Course [INTEGBI H196B]
Animal Behavior [ESPM C126]
Directed Undergraduate Research [INTEGBI 191]
Undergraduate Student Instructor for Integrative Biology Courses [INTEGBI 194]
Supervised Internship [INTEGBI 197]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [INTEGBI 199]
Freshman Seminars [INTEGBI 24]
Research Seminar [INTEGBI 291]
Special Study in Integrative Biology [INTEGBI 298]
Graduate Research [INTEGBI 299]
Animal Behavior [INTEGBI C144]
Thesis Course [INTEGBI H196A]
Thesis Course [INTEGBI H196B]
Directed Undergraduate Research [INTEGBI 191]
Supervised Internship [INTEGBI 197]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [INTEGBI 199]
Freshman Seminars [INTEGBI 24]
Research Seminar [INTEGBI 290]
Research Seminar [INTEGBI 291]
Special Study for Graduate Students [INTEGBI 296]
Directed Field Studies [INTEGBI 297]
Special Study in Integrative Biology [INTEGBI 298]
Graduate Research [INTEGBI 299]
Integrative Human Biology [INTEGBI 77B]
Supervised Independent Study and Research [INTEGBI 99]
Thesis Course [INTEGBI H196A]
Thesis Course [INTEGBI H196B]