Kidney Function in Lizards (Biological Science)

目前关于陆生脊椎动物水分和溶质调节模式的知识主要基于对哺乳动物、鸟类和两栖动物的研究。对爬行动物的研究大多局限于海龟和蛇，关于它们的信息才刚刚开始积累，而蜥蜴在很大程度上还没有被研究。这项研究将利用蜥蜴的渗透调节模式的个体发育变异性，因为中肾在出生后停止功能，而后肾在水和离子平衡中承担其成年角色。这些研究是在几个层面上进行的：1)将研究整个肾脏以及单个肾单位的生理特性，涉及过滤和离子和水平衡的调节。2)中肾和后肾在出生后发育过程中的形态变化将从组织的结构组织和细胞水平的超微结构变化两方面进行记录。3)来自生理和形态研究的信息将被整合，以产生结构和功能之间相互关系的图景。这项研究是第一次研究新生爬行动物的渗透调节生理和形态，事实上，这是为数不多的研究新生脊椎动物渗透调节的研究之一。从这项研究中获得的信息不仅将极大地促进我们对蜥蜴和其他爬行动物渗透调节模式的理解，而且也将为理解其他脊椎动物出生前后中肾和后肾渗透调节作用的个体发育变化提供基础。互动活动将包括团队教学两门生理学课程，并在校园内的两个系举办研究研讨会；以及参加正在进行的以性别问题为中心的“生物科学中的女性”研讨会。贝查特博士还将在一个名为“成为科学家”的研究生研讨会上讲课。本次研讨会将集中于获取在学术科学领域取得成功所必需的信息和技能，这些知识和技能传统上不是研究生课程的一部分。研讨会将包括简历准备、申请研究资助、在会议上发表演讲、在学术界找到一份工作以及科学伦理等方面的讨论。该项目进一步推动了VPW计划的目标，即：(1)为妇女提供机会，在NSF资助的工程和科学学科中发展她们的职业生涯；(2)通过提高受雇于工业、政府和学术机构的女科学家和工程师的知名度，鼓励妇女追求科学和工程事业。通过鼓励妇女参与科学，这是对国家未来科学活力的宝贵投资。

Current knowledge of the patterns of water and solute regulation in terrestrial vertebrates is based largely on studies of mammals, birds, and amphibians. Studies of reptiles are for the most part limited to turtles and snakes, for which information has only just begun to accumulate, and lizards remain largely unstudied. This research will exploit the ontogenetic variability in osmoregulatory patterns of lizards as the mesonephric kidney ceases to function after birth and the metanephric kidney assumes its adult role in water and ion balance. These investigations are being conducted at several levels: 1) Physiological properties of the whole kidney, as well as of individual nephrons, will be studied with respect to the regulation of filtration and of ion and water balance. 2) The morphological changes that occur in the mesonephric and metanephric kidneys with postnatal development will be documented in terms of both the structural organizations of the tissue and the ultrastructural changes at the cellular level. 3) Information from the physiological and morphological studies will be integrated to yield a picture of the interrelationships between structure and function. This study is the first to examine the osmoregulatory physiology and morphology of a neonatal reptile and in fact represents one of only a very few to study osmoregulation in any newborn vertebrate. The information gained from this study will not only significantly advance our understanding of the patterns of osmoregulation in lizards and other reptiles, but will also provide a basis for understanding the ontogenetic changes in the osmoregulatory roles of the mesonephric and metanephric kidneys both before and after birth in other vertebrates. The interactive activities will involve team-teaching two courses in Physiology as well as presenting research seminars in two departments on campus; and participation in an ongoing seminar on "Women in the Biological Sciences," which centers on gender issues. Dr. Beuchat will also teach a graduate seminar entitled "On Being a Scientist." This seminar will focus on acquisition of information and skills necessary for success in academic science that are not traditionally part of the graduate curriculum. The seminar will include discussions of CV preparation, applying for research grants, giving a talk at a meeting, getting a job in academia, and the ethics of science. This project furthers VPW program objectives which are (1) to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers in engineering and in the disciplines of science supported by NSF and (2) to encourage women to pursue careers in science and engineering by providing greater visibility for women scientists and engineers employed in industry, government, and academic institutions. By encouraging the participation of women in science, it is a valuable investment in the Nation's future scientific vitality.