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SUMMARY:From genes to neural circuits\, how C. elegans generates its behav
 iour. - Patrick Laurent
DTSTART:20101104T131000Z
DTEND:20101104T140000Z
UID:TALK27242@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr Per Ola Kristensson
DESCRIPTION:Brains are highly parallel information processors. Neural circ
 uits continuously integrate sensory inputs to generate appropriate behavio
 ural responses. C. elegans only have 302 neurons whose connectivity\nis pe
 rfectly known\, providing the entire wiring diagram of the worm nervous sy
 stem. By combining genetic\, neuronal activity imaging techniques\nand opt
 ogenetic tools we can dissect how these circuits work in response to senso
 ry cues.\nA particular focus is on neuropeptides. Neuropeptides are potent
  regulators of behaviour but their biology is poorly understood. As C.eleg
 ans is transparent\, GFP-tagged neuropeptides can be followed through\nthe
  secretory pathway and forward or reverse genetics used to identify mutant
 s that disrupt production\, traffic and release of neuropeptide. We identi
 fy several new regulators of neuropeptide biology and mechanisms allowing 
 proper distribution of the vesicles containing the neuropeptide.\nNeural s
 ignalling components are well-conserved between C. elegans and vertebrates
 \, so the results obtained in the nematode are likely to be directly appli
 cable to the mammalian nervous system.\n
LOCATION:Entertaining Room\, Darwin College
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