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| research [2016/05/31 11:02] – [Research Overview] changed 1st para admin | research [2016/06/05 19:11] – [Electrotaxis] minor admin |
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| ===== Research Overview ===== | ===== Research Overview ===== |
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| How organisms develop from a single fertilized embryo and how they interact with the environment are major focus of research in Biology. Understanding these questions requires identification of key genes, their expression patterns, and functional crosstalks. Since many of these genes are also linked to diseases such as cancers and neuronal degeneration, a detailed knowledge of the regulatory networks of gene interactions and function will ultimately help find treatments for major illnesses thereby improving human health.\\ | How organisms develop from a single fertilized embryo and how they interact with the environment are major focus of research in Biology. Understanding these questions requires identification of key genes, their expression patterns, and functional crosstalks. Since many of these genes are also linked to diseases such as cancers and neuronal degeneration, a detailed knowledge of the regulatory networks of gene interactions and function will ultimately help find treatments for major illnesses thereby improving human health.\\ |
| ===== Electrotaxis ===== | ===== Electrotaxis ===== |
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| {{ :images:electrotaxis.gif?400|}}Our lab is also investigating the electrotaxis sensory behavior in nematodes. In collaboration with Ravi Selvaganapathy (Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University) <color blue>we provided the first evidence of electrotaxis response in //C. elegans// in a microfluidic channel environment (Rezai et al., Lab Chip 2010). We showed that a DC electric field stimulus induces the worm to swim towards cathode with a characteristic speed that is robust, instantaneous and highly sensitive.</color> Subsequently, we demonstrated that dopamine (DA) neurons play important role in mediating the electrotaxis behavior. The involvement of DA signalling has allowed us to model Parkinson's disease in //C. elegans//, in order to understand the mechanism of neurodegeneration and to identify neuorprotective chemicals. | {{ :images:electrotaxis.gif?400|}}Our lab is also investigating the electrotaxis phenomenon in nematodes, the neuronal basis of this behavior, and its applications.\\ |
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| | **Electrotaxis is the movement of organisms in response to an electric field stimulus.** In collaboration with Ravi Selvaganapathy (Mechanical Engineering, McMaster University) <color blue>we provided the first evidence of electrotaxis in //C. elegans// in a microfluidic channel environment (Rezai et al., Lab Chip 2010). We showed that low voltage DC electric field induces worms to swim towards cathode with a characteristic speed. This response is robust, instantaneous and highly sensitive.</color> Subsequently, we demonstrated that dopamine (DA) neurons play important role in mediating the electrotaxis behavior. The involvement of DA signalling provides a basis to model Parkinson's disease in //C. elegans//, and to investigate the mechanism of neurodegeneration and to identify neuorprotective chemicals. |