U.S.-Japan Cooperative Research: Interactions Among the Environment, the Neuroendocrine and Immune Systems in Fish

0436347 Grau该奖项支持夏威夷大学的Gordon Grau教授和日本东京海洋科技大学的Takashi Aoki教授之间为期三年的合作研究项目。 他们将研究环境与鱼类神经内分泌和免疫系统之间的相互作用。 生殖、发育、生长、免疫功能和环境适应在很大程度上是通过神经内分泌系统有秩序地释放激素来调节的，而神经内分泌系统又整合了遗传密码、内部环境和环境的信息。 很明显，硬骨鱼的神经内分泌系统和免疫系统与所有动物一样，与一系列复杂的代谢、生理和发育活动的调节以及防止感染和疾病的保护密不可分。 这是基本的和实际的重要性，我们发展的方式，其中环境，免疫和神经内分泌系统的相互作用，在调节鱼类的生长，繁殖和抗病性的透彻的知识。 研究人员将特别关注生长激素和催乳素在鱼类免疫系统中的作用，以及皮质醇在应激和免疫反应中的作用。 该提案的目标是：l）整合鱼类内分泌学和免疫学研究中通常不同和独立的科学专业领域; 2）培养超出拟议工作范围的个人和专业关系;和3）发展内分泌学的新方法和概念/通过让年轻的科学家和学生接触到单一实验室无法提供的知识和培训的独特混合物， 该项目汇集了两个具有互补专业知识和研究能力的实验室的努力。 该项目有可能开发一种新的、共同的方式来解决对我国营养和经济福祉具有根本价值的问题，而这些问题的最佳答案是采取一种方法，将迄今为止实际上孤立运作的学科结合起来。 通过交流思想和技术，该项目将扩大我们的基础知识，促进国际理解与合作。 该项目包括博士后和研究生的参与。研究结果将在科学会议和科学期刊上传播。

0436347GrauThis award supports a three-year collaborative research project between Professor Gordon Grau of the University of Hawaii and Professor Takashi Aoki of the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology in Japan. They will be undertaking a study on interactions among the environment in relation to the neuroendocrine and immune systems in fish. Reproduction, development, growth, immune function and environmental adaptation are regulated to an important extent through the orderly release of hormones by the neuroendocrine system that, in turn, integrates information from the genetic code, internal milieu and the environment. It is clear that the neuroendocrine and immune systems are inseparable tied in teleost fish, as in all animals, to the regulation of a complex array of metabolic, physiological and developmental activities, as well as providing for protection against infection and disease. It is of both fundamental and practical importance that we develop a thorough knowledge of the manner in which the environment, and the immune and neuroendocrine systems interact in the regulation of growth, reproduction and disease resistance of fish. The researchers will specifically focus on the roles of growth hormone and prolactin in the fish immune system and also on the role of cortisol in stress and the immune response. The goals of the proposal are to l) integrate areas of scientific expertise that are typically distinct and separate from one another in the study of the endocrinology and immunology of fish; 2) foster personal and professional relationships extending beyond the proposed work; and 3) develop new methods and concepts in endocrinology/immunology by exposing young scientists and students to a unique mixture o knowledge and training not available in a single laboratory. This project brings together the efforts of two laboratories that have complementary expertise and research capabilities. The project has the potential to develop a new, shared way of addressing questions of fundamental value to our nation's nutritional and economic well-being that are best answered by an approach that integrates disciplines which have operated until now in virtual isolation. Through the exchange of ideas and technology, this project will broaden our base of basic knowledge and promote international understanding and cooperation. The project includes the participation of both postdocs and graduate students. Results of the research will be disseminated at scientific meetings and in scientific journals.