CAREER: A Biophysical Approach to Thermotaxis, a Complex Experience-Dependent Behavior in C. elegans

了解神经系统如何对动物行为进行编码是神经生物学的总体目标。这个CAREER研究项目是神经科学和物理学之间的跨学科努力，将通过开发生物学和物理学界面的技术来探索秀丽隐杆线虫热致行为的神经表征。技术创新的例子将包括：1)开发新的行为分析方法，量化蠕虫对任意热刺激模式的反应；2)利用细胞过程的遗传编码指标对神经活动进行光学测量；3)应用超快激光破坏亚微米大小的神经结构（神经外科）。通过与其他实验室的合作，这些技术将在线虫和其他模式生物的生物学研究中得到广泛应用。该计划的另一个组成部分是通过授予本科生研究奖学金、开发课程课程和鼓励高中生进行自然科学高级研究的推广项目来促进科学教育。特别强调在生物学和物理学之间的界面教育。该奖项由生物科学理事会数学与生物科学物理系和综合有机体生物学系联合支持。

Understanding how neural systems encode animal behavior is a general goal of neurobiology. This CAREER research program, an interdisciplinary effort between neuroscience and physics, will probe the neural representation of the thermotactic behavior of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans by developing techniques at the interface of biology and physics. Examples of technological innovation will include: 1) the development of new behavioral assays that will quantify the worm's responses to arbitrary patterns of thermal stimuli; 2) optical measurements of neural activity applying genetically encoded indicators of cellular processes; and 3) the application of ultrafast lasers to destroy sub-micron sized neural structures (neuronanosurgery). Through partnerships with other labs, these techniques will see broad applications in the biological study of the nematode and other model organisms. An additional component of the program is directed toward promoting scientific education through the awarding of undergraduate research assistantships, development of course curricula, and outreach programs that encourage high school students towards advanced studies in the natural sciences. Special emphasis in placed on education at the interface between biology and physics.This award is jointly supported by the Division of Physics in the Mathematical and Biological Sciences and the Division of Integrative Organismal Biology in the Directorate for Biological Sciences.