Maintenance of the nervous system architecture in C. elegans

The proposed study is aimed at identifying genes that maintain the structures of the brain. The brain of any organism consists of an assembly of neurons connected by neuronal extensions or axons. While the structure and connectivity of the brain is largely determined by its development, it needs to be precisely maintained throughout life in order to function properly. Indeed, as animals, including humans, grow and move about during their life, neuronal structures are put under enormous mechanical stress. Our current knowledge about the genetic components that define these processes is only rudimentary. Therefore, it is of crucial interest to identify the genetic components which ensure that nerves and other neuronal structures remain in place. The focus of this study is to identify and characterize genes that code for molecular components of the environment surrounding the neuronal structures. Due to the complexity of the vertebrate brain, we use the much simpler nervous system of the worm C. elegans as a model system. This will lead to a basic understanding of the maintenance of brain structure. Importantly, it will also lead to an understanding of disease states in which the maintenance of brain architecture is abnormal, such as in many progressive neurodegenerative diseases.