RUI: Characterization of Circadian Activity of the Spiny Mouse, Acomys Cahirinus

Edward托德WeberNSF提案0235915“棘鼠Acomys cahirinus昼夜节律活动的特征。生理和行为的昼夜节律是所有动物的固有属性。 在哺乳动物中，这些节律是由大脑中的特定部位产生的，并影响活动，睡眠和觉醒，进食，饮水，体温，激素分泌，血液化学等的模式。但是关于这个系统如何受到动物生活环境的影响，特别是当这个系统被破坏时，动物会发生什么，还有很多东西需要学习。 该提案将研究刺鼠Acomys cahirinus的昼夜节律系统，Acomys cahirinus是一种罕见的啮齿动物，与其他啮齿动物相比具有许多独特的特征，例如出生时的高度成熟，增强的水调节机制，扩展的社会结构以及潜在的独特昼夜节律特征。 这些研究将通过长时间监测小鼠在不同环境条件下的行为活动模式，并通过分析与大脑“时钟”区域相关的神经化学过程和结构发育来完成。 这些比较研究将扩展我们对哺乳动物昼夜节律系统如何工作的理解，并有望演变成一个特殊的模型系统，用于解决与生理，行为和发育相关的问题。 这些比较研究将主要由本科生进行，他们将在符合RUI条件的机构中使用尖端技术获得宝贵的研究经验。

Edward Todd WeberNSF Proposal 0235915"Characterization of circadian activity of the spiny mouse, Acomys cahirinus."Circadian, or "daily", rhythms in physiology and behavior are an intrinsic property of all animals. In mammals, these rhythms are generated by a specific site in the brain, and influence patterns of activity, sleep and wakefulness, eating, drinking, body temperature, hormone secretion, blood chemistry, etc. Some of the basic properties of this system have been elucidated using traditional laboratory rodents and other animals, but there is much to be learned regarding how the system is influenced by the environment in which the animal lives, and in particular, what happens to the animal when the system is disrupted. This proposal will examine the circadian system of the spiny mouse, Acomys cahirinus, a rare rodent with many characteristics that make it unique in comparison to other rodents, such as its high degree of maturity at birth, enhanced water regulatory mechanisms, extended social structure, and potentially unique circadian characteristics. These studies will be accomplished by monitoring the behavioral activity patterns of mice over extended periods of time and under varied environmental conditions, and through analysis of the neurochemical processes and structural development associated with the "clock" regions of the brain. These comparative studies will extend our understanding of how the circadian system works in mammals, and are expected to evolve into a special model system for addressing questions related to physiology, behavior and development. These comparative studies will be conducted primarily by undergraduate students who will gain valuable research experience using cutting edge technology at an RUI-eligible institution.