Mutational Analyses of Learning and Memory

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Our goal is to use the power and specificity of modern mutational molecular genetics to reveal the component processes of learning and memory. There are two routes to mutant analysis: candidate gene targeting (reverse genetics) and screening (forward genetics) approaches. The candidate targeting approach involves identifying specific genes that are candidates for important roles in learning or memory, and then testing the effects of targeted mutations of these genes (naturally occurring or experimenter induced) in various learning paradigms.In particular, first, we will find the exact gene mutated in the lrn-1 and lrn-2 mutant worms that we isolated several years ago. To do this, we will take advantage of an assay of learning and memory employing the learned avoidance of pathogenic bacteria. The specific identification of these genes will enable us to reveal where the genes normally are expressed and in which neurons they function to allow learning to take place. Second, we propose to screen for novel genetic mutants that have deficits in learning in our most potent learning assay that employs the worms avoidance of the smell of benzaldehyde when that smell predicts the absence of food. These new mutants will allow the structural components of the learning and memory processes to be revealed.