CAREER: A Biophysical Approach to Thermotaxis, a Complex Experience-Dependent Behavior in C. elegans

了解神经系统如何编码动物行为是神经生物学的一个总体目标。 这个职业研究计划，神经科学和物理学之间的跨学科的努力，将探索线虫的趋热行为的神经表征通过开发技术在生物学和物理学的接口。 技术创新的例子将包括：1）开发新的行为分析，将量化蠕虫对任意热刺激模式的反应; 2）应用遗传编码的细胞过程指标对神经活动进行光学测量; 3）应用超快激光破坏亚微米尺寸的神经结构（神经外科手术）。 通过与其他实验室的合作，这些技术将在线虫和其他模式生物的生物学研究中得到广泛应用。 该计划的另一个组成部分是通过授予本科生研究助学金，开发课程课程和推广计划，鼓励高中学生在自然科学方面进行高级研究，以促进科学教育。 特别强调生物学和物理学之间的接口教育。该奖项由数学和生物科学物理学部和生物科学理事会综合有机生物学部共同支持。

Understanding how neural systems encode animal behavior is a general goal of neurobiology. This CAREER research program, an interdisciplinary effort between neuroscience and physics, will probe the neural representation of the thermotactic behavior of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans by developing techniques at the interface of biology and physics. Examples of technological innovation will include: 1) the development of new behavioral assays that will quantify the worm's responses to arbitrary patterns of thermal stimuli; 2) optical measurements of neural activity applying genetically encoded indicators of cellular processes; and 3) the application of ultrafast lasers to destroy sub-micron sized neural structures (neuronanosurgery). Through partnerships with other labs, these techniques will see broad applications in the biological study of the nematode and other model organisms. An additional component of the program is directed toward promoting scientific education through the awarding of undergraduate research assistantships, development of course curricula, and outreach programs that encourage high school students towards advanced studies in the natural sciences. Special emphasis in placed on education at the interface between biology and physics.This award is jointly supported by the Division of Physics in the Mathematical and Biological Sciences and the Division of Integrative Organismal Biology in the Directorate for Biological Sciences.