Investigating insect neuronal plasticity under genetic and chemical stress

该项目旨在研究动物大脑中将化学信号转化为电信号的受体。这些受体是杀虫剂的目标，用于控制困扰农业和家庭宠物的主要害虫。该项目的目的是确定烟碱乙酰胆碱受体在几种行为中的功能，以及在模型昆虫黑腹果蝇中对杀虫剂的反应中的功能，使用突变敲除受体亚单位的功能。先前的研究已经指出，这些受体的表达和运输在响应遗传和环境变化时具有可塑性。该项目旨在确定为昆虫提供恢复力的潜在机制，为害虫控制提供更好的选择。

This project aims to study receptors that translate chemical signals into electrical signals in animal brains. These receptors are targeted by insecticides used to control the major pests that afflict agriculture and domestic pets. The project aims to establish the functions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in several behaviours and in insecticide responsiveness in the model insect, Drosophila melanogaster, using mutations that knock out the function of receptor subunits. Prior research has pointed to plasticity in the expression and transport of these receptors in response to genetic and environmental change. This project aims to identify the underlying mechanisms that provide the insect with resilience, to provide better options for pest control.