Mechanisms that underlie cross-modal sensory plasticity - Diversity Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

项目摘要 发育过程中的感觉经验深刻地影响着成熟动物的感觉加工。以来 大多数动物的感觉经验是多模态的，一种感觉模态的活动往往会导致 另一种模式的长期变化。这种跨模态塑性不仅导致补偿 在感觉剥夺的情况下的感觉功能，但也允许正常人作出适当的反应， 在其独特的栖息地或情况下，对感官刺激的反应，并有助于个体在 对多感官线索的感知尽管跨模态可塑性的重要性，潜在的电路和 分子机制知之甚少。母基金R 01 NS 104299的目的是确定 果蝇躯体感觉系统发育中的跨模态可塑性机制 幼虫，并为指导其他物种的未来研究提供电路和分子模型。中央 一种假说认为，在发育过程中温和机械感觉输入加强了 从伤害感受器到多感觉二级神经元（MSONs）的突触传递， 通过MSON中的特定基因实现。促进多样性的研究补充材料 在健康相关的研究将支持一个优秀的学士后的培训。研究 拟议的研究将补充最初拟议的研究，以确保成功实现其目标。 建议进行两项研究，以补充原来的目标2：（1）确定是否需要FMRP， 跨模型行为可塑性;以及（2）确定跨模型可塑性是否影响神经集成 活动这些研究活动将扩大学员的研究经验。此外，委员会认为， 并提供机会让她学习科学写作，口头表达技巧及建立网络。 这些培训将使她在与健康相关的研究事业中处于有利地位。

PROJECT SUMMARY Sensory experiences during development profoundly influence sensory processing in mature animals. Since most of an animal’s sensory experiences are multimodal, the activity of one sensory modality often causes long-term changes in another modality. Such cross-modal plasticity not only leads to compensation for sensory functions in the case of sensory deprivation, but also allows normal individuals to respond properly to sensory stimuli in their unique habitats or situations and contributes to individual’s differences in the perception of multisensory cues. Despite the importance of cross-modal plasticity, the underlying circuit and molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The objective of the parent grant R01NS104299 is to identify the mechanisms that underlie cross-modal plasticity in the developing somatosensory system of Drosophila larvae, and provide circuit and molecular models for guiding future studies in other species. The central hypothesis is that gentle mechanosensory inputs during development strengthen serotonergic inhibition of the synaptic transmission from nociceptors to multisensory second-order neurons (MSONs), which is achieved through specific genes in the MSONs. The requested Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research will support the training of an outstanding postbaccalaureate. The research proposed will supplement the originally proposed studies to ensure the successful attainment of its aims. Two studies are proposed to supplement the original Aim 2: (1) determine whether FMRP is required for cross-model behavioral plasticity; and (2) determine whether cross-modal plasticity affects neural ensemble activities. These research activities will expand the research experiences of the supplementee. Moreover, they will provide opportunities for her to learn scientific writing, oral presentation skills, and networking. These training will position her strongly for a health-related research career.