Novel mechano-receptors in the sensory nervous system

Project title

Novel mechano-receptors in the sensory nervous system

Description

Project Background

Mammals evolved complex mechanism to maintain steady internal tempratures and avoid harmful enviromental extremes. Sensory nerves detect external and internal temperatures through differentially tuned sensor molecules. Many of these, mainly the kind that detect heat, have been identified in recent decades. Though harmful cold detection is also critical for survival, the senors tuned to detect in this temprature range are comparatively poorly understood. 

Research Overview

We have developed a new screening technology, allowing us to identify new cold sensor molecules. This project will study these new sensorys by addressing the following specific questions.

1. How do these new sensors work within the cell, and what kind of signalling processes do they initiate?
2. What kind of cells utilise these new sensors for the detection of cold, and how do they alter their fuction?
3. How do these new sensors contribute to system-wide traits, such as cold avoidance behaviours, metabolic control, and maintenance of core tempratures?

Innovative Technology 

This work is based on a new technology platform, established in our lab, which harnesses the immense power of evolution on a cellular level as a screening tool. This broadly applicable strategy allows us to find the unknown genes that enable specific cellular and bodily fuctions. We will continue to use this strategy to identify and characterise other high-value targets in the sensory nervous system and beyond.