The molecular basis of thermal preference variation in Drosophila

果蝇热偏好变化的分子基础

• 批准号: 1025307
• 负责人: Paul Garrity
• 金额: $ 68.02万
• 依托单位: Brandeis University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2010
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2010-08-15 至 2014-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1025307&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: molecular; basis; thermal; preference; variation

Temperature sensing is critical for survival: animals must avoid conditions that would freeze or burn them and choose the best conditions for growth and reproduction. To achieve these goals, animals possess highly sensitive temperature sensors. However, the mechanisms by which these sensors operate at the molecular level are largely unknown. Furthermore, it is unknown whether differences in these sensors contribute to the adaptation of different animals to different environments. This research project,entitled "The molecular basis of thermal preference variation in Drosophila", addresses these basic questions by combining molecular, genetic and physiological approaches to study the thermal sensors of Drosophila fruit flies from different climates, ranging from temperate regions to the Mojave Desert. By comparing the molecular properties of thermal sensors from different fruit fly populations and examining how these properties affect behavioral responses to temperature, this study will provide fundamental insights into how thermal sensors respond to temperature at the molecular level and how these sensors contribute to variations in animal behavior. As closely related thermal sensors are found in vertebrates as well as in other invertebrate species, results from these studies will have direct implications for thermal sensing and behavior across a wide range of animals. In addition to the scientific impact, this project also incorporates an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduates, directly engaging students in scientific research examining natural variation in temperature sensing among Drosophila populations.

温度传感对于生存至关重要：动物必须避免会冻结或燃烧它们的条件，并选择最佳的生长和繁殖条件。为了实现这些目标，动物具有高度敏感的温度传感器。但是，这些传感器在分子水平上工作的机制在很大程度上未知。 此外，尚不清楚这些传感器的差异是否有助于不同动物对不同环境的适应。 该研究项目的标题为“果蝇热偏好变化的分子基础”，通过结合分子，遗传和生理方法来研究这些基本问题。 通过比较来自不同果蝇种群的热传感器的分子特性，并检查这些特性如何影响对温度的行为反应，这项研究将提供有关热传感器在分子水平上如何响应温度以及这些传感器如何对动物变化的基本见解。行为。 由于在脊椎动物以及其他无脊椎动物中发现了密切相关的热传感器，因此这些研究的结果将直接影响广泛的动物的热感应和行为。 除了科学的影响外，该项目还为大学生​​提供了体验式学习机会，直接吸引学生参与果蝇种群中温度传感自然变化的科学研究。