Neuroendocrine control of reproduction in ecdysozoan model organisms: from genomics to phenomics.

In recent years, the availability of genome and EST sequence data from a variety of model organisms has revolutionized research in biology and medicine. The current challenge is to decipher the regulation and functions of this plethora of genes and gene products. In this project, we will combine our expertises in functional genomics, peptidomics, molecular biology and physiology to study and compare neuroendocrine signalling pathways controlling reproduction in three ecdysozoan models. In particular, we will take advantage of the repertoire of molecular genetic tools available for the soil nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, and the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as well as of the physiological expertise and EST data of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria, developed in the context of our ongoing GOA project. The latter species displays a remarkable phenotypic plasticity, also designated as population density dependent phase polyphenism, which includes drastic changes in reproductive physiology. Specific objectives of the project are: to identify neurohormones controlling (ecdy)steroidogenesis, vitellogenesis and gametogenesis; to analyse the possible role of binding proteins as modulators of hormone action; to investigate neuronal circuits involved in generating reproductive behaviour and post-mating responses.

Keywords:nervous system, peptide, behaviour, nematode, vitellogenesis, fly, hormone, insect, signal transduction, locust, reproduction, receptor, steroidogenesis

Disciplines:Animal biology, General biology, Biochemistry and metabolism, Medical biochemistry and metabolism, Genetics, Biomaterials engineering, Biological system engineering, Biomechanical engineering, Other (bio)medical engineering, Environmental engineering and biotechnology, Industrial biotechnology, Other biotechnology, bio-engineering and biosystem engineering