# Chromatin-based encoding of sex differentiation of neurons

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2024 · $32,207

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Animals of many species develop as two anatomic sexes that perform distinct and complex social
behaviors. Across clades, master regulator transcription factors downstream of sex determination programs
“switch” distinct brain regions and neurons involved in sex-typical behaviors by altering neuron number,
anatomy, and connectivity. In insects, the male-specific transcription factor Fruitless (FruM) is required during
development for mating behaviors, including innate courtship behavior towards conspecific female virgins. FruM
changes the number, anatomy and connectivity of neurons which comprise the circuit. However, how FruM
executes these disparate genomic programs during development, when these programs hard-wire mate
choice, and how the developmental landscape constrains the function of FruM is still poorly understood. To
address these questions, we propose to investigate how FruM establishes and maintains changes in neurons of
the courtship circuit by altering chromatin accessibility of regulatory elements across constituent neurons. We
will investigate 1) the repressive activities of FruM on neurodevelopmental genes in circuit connectivity and
function, and 2) determine how and when FruM acts on the chromatin landscape to hard-wire courtship
behavior. In this proposal, we will thereby elucidate the molecular and circuit function of FruM that hard-wires
mate choice and courtship behavior during development of the circuit.
 This F31 proposal describes a comprehensive training and mentorship program for the applicant, a
Ph.D. candidate in the Cellular and Molecular Biology program at the University of Michigan. The applicant will
participate in a rigorous didactic and laboratory training curriculum, supervised by her sponsor, Dr. E. Josie
Clowney, and co-sponsor, Dr. Scott Barolo. She will receive additional support from a multi-disciplinary thesis
committee and the extended neuroscience community at the University of Michigan. This training plan includes
extensive and rigorous molecular genetics and systems neuroscience laboratory training, as well as mentored
opportunities to engage in scientific writing, presentations, and grant applications. The ultimate goal of this
proposal is to best position the applicant for an independent and productive scientific career.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10755265
- **Project number:** 5F31NS127484-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Margarita Brovkina
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $32,207
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-01-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10755265

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10755265, Chromatin-based encoding of sex differentiation of neurons (5F31NS127484-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10755265. Licensed CC0.

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