NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology FY 2021: Linking Parasite Genomes, Environmental Ques, and Host Phenomes Through Characterization of Behavioral Manipulation

这一行动为NSF 2021财年生物学博士后研究奖学金提供了资金，综合研究调查了支配基因组、环境和表型之间相互作用的生命规则。该奖学金支持研究员的研究和培训，这些研究员将以创新的方式为生活规则领域做出贡献。这项研究项目检查了蛇床子草，这是一种真菌，是一种寄生虫，已知会分泌影响木蚁神经系统的化合物。蛇颈草可以改变这些蚂蚁的行为，导致它们产生包括震颤、多动和减少社会行为在内的特征。目前尚不清楚哪些真菌化合物参与其中，以及它们如何改变这些蚂蚁的行为。这项研究将测试蛇虫夏草蛋白的靶标和功能。这样做将增加我们对寄生虫进化以操纵动物宿主的理解，并可能发现新的药物化合物。此外，这项工作通常会教给我们更多关于昆虫神经系统和行为的知识，这可能会对农业产生重大影响。该奖学金还将通过一个社区科学项目向年轻学生介绍科学，该项目使用iNaturist应用程序鼓励探索佛罗里达州的荒野地区寻找蚂蚁。为了了解宿主操纵的机制，该项目将四种分子遗传学技术与行为分析相结合，以表征先前识别的、假定的分泌操纵蛋白的功能。首先，这位研究员将使用酵母双杂交方法识别分泌候选蛋白的宿主靶标。接下来，将通过CRISPR Cas9技术在蛇纹草中诱导敲除，然后进行感染和行为分析，以测试每个基因在行为操纵中的贡献。这位研究员还将通过在酵母中生产和分离用于行为分析的蛋白质来测试潜在的行为影响。最后，将通过在用于喂养的大肠杆菌菌株中异源表达候选基因，在线虫中测试这些生物分子影响一般神经系统过程的可转移性。为了增加未被充分代表的群体对科学的参与，该项目将利用中佛罗里达大学的无障碍项目，让本科生研究人员参与进来。中佛罗里达大学是一家国家认可的拉美裔服务机构。为了促进这一项目，该研究员将通过学校和博物馆，并通过诸如STEM CONNECT佛罗里达和Skype-A-Science等倡议，与K-12课堂建立联系。为了培养该研究员在学术界的未来，该研究员将参加教育学院和教学计划。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This action funds an NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology for FY 2021, Integrative Research Investigating the Rules of Life Governing Interactions Between Genomes, Environment and Phenotypes. The fellowship supports research and training of the fellow that will contribute to the area of Rules of Life in innovative ways. This research project examines Ophiocordyceps, a fungus which is a parasite known to secrete compounds that affect the nervous system of carpenter ants. Ophiocordyceps species can change the behavior of these ants, leading them to produce characteristics including tremors, hyperactivity, and diminished social behaviors. Which fungal compounds are involved and how they modify the behavior of these ants is unknown. This research will test the targets and functions of Ophiocordyceps proteins. Doing so will increase our understanding of parasite evolution to manipulate animal hosts, and could potentially discover new pharmaceutical compounds. Further this work will generally teach us more about the insect nervous system and behavior, which may have significant agricultural implications. The fellowship will also introduce young students to science through a community science project using the iNaturalist app to encourage exploration of wilderness areas in Florida to search for ants.To understand the mechanism of host manipulation, this project integrates four molecular genetics techniques with behavioral assays to characterize the function of previously identified, putative secreted manipulation proteins. First, the fellow will identify the host targets for secreted candidate proteins using a Yeast-Two-Hybrid method. Next, the contribution of each gene in behavioral manipulation will be tested via CRISPR Cas9 technology to induce knockouts in Ophiocordyceps followed by infection and behavioral assays. The fellow will also test potential behavioral effects of the proteins through production in yeast and isolation for use in behavioral assays. Finally, the transferability of these biomolecules to affect general nervous system processes will be tested in C. elegans through the heterologous expression of candidate genes in E. coli strains used for feeding. To increase participation of underrepresented groups in science, this project will utilize accessibility programs from the University of Central Florida, a nationally accredited Hispanic-Serving Institution, to involve undergraduate researchers. To promote this project, the fellow will connect with K-12 classrooms through schools and museums, and through initiatives such as stemCONNECT Florida and Skype-A-Scientist. And to train the fellow for a future in academia, the fellow will participate in pedagogical academies and teaching programs.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.