Role of Nuclear Receptors in Neural Plasticity

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ABSTRACT PI (Fahrbach) Proposal #0949728Role of Nuclear Receptors in Neural PlasticityThis project studies the changes that occur in the structure of the brain when an adult animal learns to do something new. Young honey bees work within the hive, but at approximately three weeks of age begin to forage to flowers for pollen and nectar. Changes in the size of individual nerve cells and the volume of entire brain regions result from the shift from in-hive tasks to foraging. This project investigates the role of hormones in promoting brain growth in response to new experiences using the honey bee model. The responses to important developmental hormones of bee neurons growing in culture will be studied using both microscopy and methods that permit gene expression to be measured. These studies will yield an understanding, at a cellular and molecular level, of why nerve cells are more likely to grow during some stages of life than others. This project will provide training in neuroscience research for a graduate student. In addition, the co-PIs will develop a new bioinformatics course for undergraduates. Teaching materials developed for this course will be made freely accessible to all interested teachers and students via a bilingual (English/Spanish) web site maintained at Wake Forest University.