Research Starter Grant: Genetic and Neuronal Mechanisms of Food Preference Behavior in Caenorhabditis Elegans

研究启动资金：秀丽隐杆线虫食物偏好行为的遗传和神经机制

• 批准号: 1242572
• 负责人: Elizabeth Glater
• 金额: $ 5万
• 依托单位: Harvey Mudd College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-09-01 至 2013-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1242572&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Research; Starter; Grant; Genetic; Neuronal

A central question in neuroscience is understanding the mechanisms by which genes influence behavior. Using model organisms that have genes that can be easily manipulated is critical to gaining a better understanding of how genetic polymorphisms contribute to complex phenotypes. Past work has shown that the innate food preferences of the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, vary in different strains. The project focuses on understanding how natural genetic polymorphisms influence food preferences as well as the neuronal basis of food preference. The project has three aims: 1) determine the mechanism by which the identified F-box gene modifies bacterial preference behavior; 2) identify additional causative genes underlying other previously determined QTLs; 3) determine the neuronal circuits underlying discrimination among complex odors released by a wide range of bacteria likely to be found in the natural environment of C. elegans. This project will provide insights into the genetic and neuronal mechanisms by which C. elegans generates its responses to different complex stimuli, and into the relationship between the genome and behavior.This project will study how genes can influence complex behaviors such as food preference using the C. elegans model organism. The research will be conducted primarily by undergraduates at Harvey Mudd College. Students will participate in all aspects of the research, including designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, presenting their work at on-campus research symposia as well as national scholarly meetings and preparing their work for publication.

神经科学中的一个核心问题是了解基因影响行为的机制。使用具有容易被操纵的基因的模型生物，对于更好地了解遗传多态性如何有助于复杂的表型至关重要。过去的工作表明，自由生活线虫秀丽隐杆线虫的先天食物偏好在不同的菌株中有所不同。该项目着重于了解自然遗传多态性如何影响食物偏好以及食物偏爱的神经元基础。该项目具有三个目的：1）确定所鉴定的F-box基因修饰细菌偏好行为的机制； 2）确定其他先前确定的QTL基础的其他因果基因； 3）确定可能在秀丽隐杆线虫自然环境中发现的广泛细菌释放的复杂气味之间的神经元电路。该项目将提供有关秀丽隐杆线虫对不同复杂刺激的反应以及基因组和行为之间关系的遗传和神经元机制的见解。该项目将研究基因如何使用秀丽隐杆线虫模型的生物体来影响复杂的行为，例如食品偏爱。这项研究将主要由哈维·穆德学院的大学生进行。 学生将参与研究的各个方面，包括设计和进行实验，分析数据，在校园内研究研讨会以及国家学术会议上介绍他们的工作以及为出版工作做准备。