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

神经科学的一个核心问题是理解基因影响行为的机制。使用具有易于操纵的基因的模式生物对于更好地理解遗传多态性如何导致复杂表型至关重要。过去的研究表明，自由生活的线虫秀丽隐杆线虫（Caenorhabditis elegans）天生的食物偏好在不同的菌株中有所不同。该项目的重点是了解自然遗传多态性如何影响食物偏好以及食物偏好的神经元基础。该项目有三个目标：1)确定已鉴定的F-box基因改变细菌偏好行为的机制；2)鉴定其他先前确定的qtl的致病基因；3)确定秀丽隐杆线虫自然环境中可能发现的多种细菌释放的复杂气味的神经元回路。该项目将深入了解秀丽隐杆线虫对不同复杂刺激产生反应的遗传和神经元机制，以及基因组与行为之间的关系。该项目将研究基因如何影响复杂的行为，如使用秀丽隐杆线虫模式生物的食物偏好。这项研究将主要由哈维马德学院的本科生进行。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，在校园研究专题讨论会和国家学术会议上展示他们的工作，并准备发表他们的工作。

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.