Engineered plant receptors as orthogonal neuronal switches

本项目旨在开发利用工程植物受体的合成生物学方法来研究大脑功能。这个项目将扩大我们在自由行为的动物中以高特异性和无副作用的方式操纵神经细胞功能的能力。植物受体将在一个迭代的过程中发展成为分子工具，通过合理的蛋白质设计来改善关键特性。预期的结果包括创新和广泛适用的神经科学方法，以及对参与植物生长和防御的受体的理解。这个项目的好处包括提高产生知识的能力、多学科培训机会和可申请专利的合成生物学技术。

This project aims to develop synthetic biology methods to study brain function by utilising engineered plant receptors. This project will expand our ability to manipulate nerve cell function with high specificity and without side effects in freely behaving animals. Plant receptors will be developed into molecular tools in an iterative process that improves key properties using rational protein design. Expected outcomes include innovative and broadly-applicable neuroscience methods and an understanding of receptors involved in plant growth and defense. Benefits of this project include an enhanced capacity to generate knowledge, multidisciplinary training opportunities and patentable synthetic biology technologies.