An Optogenetic and Genetic Interrogation of Patterned Movements
by
Prof.Mei Zhen(Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, University of Toronto)
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Asia/Kolkata
AG-66 (Colaba Campus)
AG-66
Colaba Campus
Description
How does a given motor circuit generate specific modes of locomotion? We use C. elegans, a primitive undulator, as a genetic model to address how a motor circuit is assembled, and upon it anatomic assembly, how its activity is coordinated to allow the animal exhibits different motor behaviors. Through combined optogenetics, molecular genetics, electrophysiology and calcium imaging studies, we demonstrate that in C. elegans, descending sensory inputs converge on premotor interneurons that couple mini-circuits of excitatory and inhibitory motor neurons for undulation. Critically, motor antagonism plays a critical role in directional movement and undulation.
