A Biophysical Analysis of C. Elegans Thermotactic Behavior in Diverse Environments

在这个项目中，PI将开发新的技术来研究蠕虫在不同类型环境中的趋热行为，方法是利用物理和生物方面的技术创新。在行为层面，PI将开发新的分析方法，以高分辨率在二维和三维的较长时间段内跟踪单个动物的趋热运动；在神经回路水平，PI将开发一种用于光学记录完整神经系统内多个神经元活动的分析方法。该研究计划将提供全面和严格的理解，了解蠕虫如何在不同的环境中执行趋热性，在这些环境中，蠕虫可能不得不游泳、爬行或挖洞，以达到其首选的温度。更好地理解不同的趋热行为模式，以及改进的操纵和监测神经活动的方法，将为神经回路如何在动物导航过程中引起感觉感知、信息处理和运动控制提供新的见解。此外，该研究方案将通过授予本科生和研究生研究助学金来促进自然科学方面的培训。它将通过将该项目的各个方面整合到哈佛大学的课程课程中来促进科学教育，该课程旨在向本科生和研究生介绍生物物理学和神经科学的当前问题。外展项目将为来自农村小社区的高中生和历史上黑人学院和大学的本科生提供神经科学研究的暑期实习机会。

In this project the PI will develop new techniques to study worm thermotactic behavior in different types of environments with an approach that draws on technological innovation in both physics and biology. At the level of behavior, the PI will develop new assays to track the thermotactic movements of individual animals at high resolution for extended periods of time in two and three dimensions and at the level of neural circuits, the PI will develop an assay for optical recording of the activity of multiple neurons within the intact nervous system. The research program will provide a comprehensive and rigorous understanding of how a worm performs thermotaxis in different environments where it might have to swim, crawl, or burrow towards its preferred temperature. A better understanding of different modes of thermotactic behavior, along with improved methods for manipulating and monitoring neural activity, will provide new insights into how neural circuits give rise to sensory perception, information processing, and motor control during animal navigation. In addition the research program will promote training in the natural sciences through the awarding of undergraduate and graduate research assistantships. It will promote scientific education by integrating aspects of the program into course curricula at Harvard University that is aimed at introducing undergraduate and graduate students to current problems in biophysics and neuroscience. Outreach programs will provide summer internships in neuroscience research to high school students from a small rural community, and to undergraduates at historically black colleges and universities.