| Project Detail |
Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is a species complex of entomopathogens known for their ability to manipulate the behavior of infected ants (zombie ants). While these behavioral effects are well described, the molecular basis for behavioral manipulation is still being explored. During my current postdoctoral fellowship with the National Science Foundation USA, I have identified a set of putative behavioral effectors and am currently utilizing the model organism yeast to express these biomolecules and test their behavioral effects in ants. This proposal will build on my previous work by utilizing another model organism, C. elegans, to analyze the transferability of these effectors to other animal models and to understand their effect on core neurological pathways. To accomplish this goal, I will collaborate with the Van den Heuvel lab at Utrecht University, a developmental biology team known for their excellence in the imaging of nematodes. Their access to a pre-established C. elegans Yeast-Two-Hybrid library and experience with the genetic modification of nematodes will be paramount in addressing three research objectives set for this project: identifying the biological targets of behavior-modifying effectors using Yeast-Two-Hybrid mating, analyzing the behavioral effects of these effectors via transgenic expression in C. elegans, and evaluating tissue-specific changes at the molecular level in C. elegans using mass spec. Such a project spans many biological subdisciplines, and thus, lends itself well to the international exchange of personnel, advanced training, and ideas, allowing me to make use of my experience with molecular cloning and acquire new skills handling and observing C. elegans. Furthermore, the study of Ophiocordyceps effectors present an innovative approach towards new drug discovery, particularly those with the potential to treat behavioral disorders as fungal secondary metabolites are often used for medications, impacting the public in a positive way. |
