Nervous system rewiring upon developmental stress

The team researches a variety of fundamental questions using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as invertebrate model organism. This project is situated in a collaborative environment of three teams who share interests in unveiling fundamental principles of neurobiology. Here, the specific focus is on the neurohormonal changes that accompany the experience of starvation stress during development; several other lab members work on related topics (see also: (supervisor), and ://(co-supervisors) ).

Project

Neuropeptides are small proteins that carry out communication between neurons and are critical for the function of all animal brains. Indeed, drugs such as Ozempic and fentanyl act through human neuropeptide pathways. The diversity and ubiquity of neuropeptides means that neuropeptide signaling is organized in pervasive wireless networks connecting neurons that are not wired together with synapses. These networks can be remodeled by food availa...