Data Blitz Talks
Tyler Hill
(Sengupta Lab)
Identification of molecular mechanisms underlying thermosensory response plasticity
Behaviors change based on learning, and the neuron responses that lead to behavior change as well. Model organisms offer well-mapped neuron networks to study these changes. The worm C. elegans, for example, has a well-understood, simple network of neurons that control temperature sensing and response. Mr. Hill is using C. elegans to explore rapid responses to small changes in temperature, by looking for molecular mechanisms that control this behavior.
A primary function of the nervous system is to modulate its responses in an experience-dependent manner in order to maintain sensitivity over a wide stimulus range. It is critical to understand the molecular mechanisms that mediate experience-dependent changes in neuronal responses. The thermosensory system in the nematode C. elegans provides an excellent experimental system in which to explore mechanisms underlying neuronal and behavioral plasticity. C. elegans has the remarkable ability to sense and respond to temperature changes of as little as 0.01°C over a >10°C temperature range. This behavior is primarily mediated by the single bilateral pair of AFD thermosensory neurons. Interestingly, AFD responds to temperature variations only above a temperature threshold that is determined by long-term temperature experience. We and others have recently established that in addition to long-term adaptation, the thermosensory response threshold of AFD also adapts rapidly to small temperature variations. These two adaptation mechanisms allow the animal to both adjust its thermosensory behaviors based on long-term temperature experience, and to retain sensitivity to small thermal fluctuations. We have described transcription-dependent mechanisms underlying long-term temperature adaptation in AFD, but mechanisms of short-term adaptation are unknown. The goal of my project is to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the plasticity of this extraordinarily sensitive system.