Integrated Calcium and pH Signaling in C. elegans

Keith Nehrke Proposal Number：IOS-0919848获奖标题：优雅线虫中整合的钙和pH信号生理学中的一个主要挑战是弥合分子和整合功能之间的差距，或如何组织发生在细胞水平上的过程来传递系统功能。遗传模式生物秀丽线虫表现出每45秒发生一次的有节奏的行为，各种细胞信号过程有助于行为输出。该项目旨在利用线虫模型系统的力量来探索这些过程之间的功能相互作用。该项目还将研究一种新的细胞间快速通信机制，该机制构成了节律行为的一个组成部分的基础。在这些研究过程中，研究人员将使用荧光生物传感器来测量活蠕虫中的细胞信号，以及药理学、遗传学和分子技术，以解决分子水平上的细胞信号如何转化为活生物体中的行为。这项工作可能会改变我们对细胞信号的看法，导致一个新的研究领域的出现，对细胞如何相互沟通以传递行为具有重要的影响。该项目将为两名博士生提供培训，并为几名本科生提供暑期研究机会，重点是少数族裔申请者。作为该项目的一部分，调查人员还将创建和维护一个外行可以访问和理解的网站。

Keith NehrkeProposal Number: IOS-0919848Award title: Integrated Calcium and pH Signaling in C. elegansA major challenge in physiology is bridging the gap between molecular and integrative functions, or how processes occurring at the cell level are organized to convey systems functions. The genetic model organism C. elegans exhibits a rhythmic behavior that occurs every 45 seconds, and a variety of cell signaling processes contribute to the behavioral output. The project is designed to exploit the power of the nematode model system to explore functional interactions between these processes. The project will also study a novel mechanism for fast cell-cell communication, which forms the basis for one component of the rhythmic behavior. The investigators will employ during the course of these studies fluorescent biosensors to measure cell signaling in live worms, as well as pharmacology, genetics, and molecular techniques to address how cell signaling at the molecular level is translated into behavior in live organisms. This work could potentially transform our view of cell signaling, leading to the emergence of a new area of study with important implications for how cells communicate with one another to convey behavior. The project will provide training for two Ph.D. students and summer research opportunities for several undergraduate students, with a strong emphasis on minority applicants. As a part of this project, the investigators will also create and maintain a website that can be accessed and understood by the layperson.