研究方向：
我们研究动物行为多样性的神经和演化机制，以头足类动物（包括乌贼和章鱼）为研究对象。头足类的神经系统是无脊椎动物中最为复杂，但与人脑在演化历程和组织结构上又完全不同。研究它们既可以发现相似功能背后神经机制的趋同演化，也可发现人脑所不具备的独特神经算法。
我们利用机器学习算法对动物行为进行高精度定量分析，并结合电生理和钙成像等大规模神经活动记录方法，研究（1）乌贼变色伪装行为的神经机制，（2）章鱼复杂触手运动的分布式控制，（3）头足类动物的高级认知功能，（4）头足类神经系统复杂性的演化机制，将为类脑计算与仿生软体机器人系统提供独特的神经算法借鉴与运动控制理论。
代表性科研论文：
1. Liang, X., Holy, T. E., & Taghert, P. H. (2016). Synchronous Drosophila circadian pacemakers display nonsynchronous Ca2+ rhythms in vivo. Science, 351(6276), 976-981.
2. Li, Q.*, Zhang, X.*, Hu, W.*, Liang, X.*, Zhang, F., Wang, L., Liu, Z.J., & Zhong, Y. (2016). Importin-7 mediates memory consolidation through regulation of nuclear translocation of training-activated MAPK in Drosophila. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 113(11), 3072-3077. (* Equal Contributions).
3. Liang, X., Holy, T. E., & Taghert, P. H. (2017). A series of suppressive signals within the Drosophila circadian neural circuit generates sequential daily outputs. Neuron, 94(6), 1173–1189.
4. Liang, X., Ho, M. C., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., Wu, M. N., Holy, T. E., & Taghert, P. H. (2019). Morning and evening circadian pacemakers independently drive premotor centers via a specific dopamine relay. Neuron, 102(4), 843-857.
5. Liang, X., Holy, T. E., & Taghert, P. H. (2022). Circadian pacemaker neurons display co-phasic rhythms in basal calcium level and in fast calcium fluctuations. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 119(17).
6. Liang, X., Holy, T. E., & Taghert, P. H. (2023). Polyphasic circadian neural circuits drive differential activities in multiple downstream rhythmic centers. Current Biology.
7. Liang, X.*, Woo, T.*, Evans, D., Fernandez, O., Kretschmer, F., Reiter, S., & Laurent, G. (2023). The Dynamics of Pattern Matching in Camouflaging Cuttlefish. Nature (in press).
