National Eye Institute 1F32EY038092-01

Molecular and Circuit Analyses of Color Discrimination without Opsins

This award funds research to understand how the nematode C. elegans discriminates color without traditional opsin photoreceptors, using molecular, circuit, and behavioral analyses to reveal novel light-sensing mechanisms and sensory integration, supporting the PI's development as an independent researcher.

Description

The proposed research aims to elucidate how the relatively simple nervous system of the nematode roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans processes the color of environmental light to drive changes in foraging behavior. Notably, C. elegans lacks eyes and conventional molecular photoreceptors known as opsins but can discriminate colors of environmental light. The studies will analyze molecular and circuit mechanisms underlying color discrimination by an opsin-less animal, providing insight into light-sensing systems and sensorimotor processing. Leveraging advanced molecular genetic, neurobiological, and behavioral approaches, the studies will analyze wavelength dependence of C. elegans color-sensitive behaviors, define molecular substrates and cellular sites of action for light processing by non-canonical phototransducers, and identify and analyze how integration across C. elegans photosensory circuits might drive color-insensitive behaviors. These experiments will provide insight into how non-canonical phototransducers and sensory circuit integration enable light responsivity without opsins. The studies aim to increase understanding of light sensing and sensory integration systems of biomedical and biological importance. The project will also prepare the PI for an independent faculty position by developing advanced skills in C. elegans genetics and neuroimaging, and characterizing a novel sensory integration circuit.

View original record