# Neural and genetic mechanisms underlying behavior in C. elegans

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2024 · $427,777

## Abstract

Project Summary
The long-term goal of our research is to understand how the sensory environment regulates animal behavior.
In this proposal, we will focus on investigating the genetic and neural basis of two sensory modalities:
thermosensation and osmosensation. The ability to sense temperature and osmolarity is essential for life.
Defects in thermosensation and osmosensation cause various neurological, renal and metabolic disorders. A
key player in thermosensation and osmosensation is the molecular sensory receptors that detect thermal and
osmotic cues. However, the molecular identities of cold-sensing receptors that sense cold temperatures are
poorly understood. Similarly, no osmolarity-sensing receptors have thus far been definitively identified in any
metazoan organisms. C. elegans is a popular genetic model organism widely used for the study of sensory
biology. To survive the harsh environment, C. elegans has evolved a rich repertoire of sensory systems. Like
mammals, C. elegans possesses the sense of temperature and osmolarity. Here, we propose to investigate
the genetic and neural mechanisms by which animals sense temperature, particularly cold temperature, as well
as osmolarity using C. elegans as a model. To do so, we will take a multifaceted approach that integrates
molecular genetics, behavioral analysis, laser ablation, whole-brain imaging, and electrophysiology. As the
mechanisms underlying thermosensation and osmosensation, particularly those involving sensory receptors,
tend to be evolutionarily conserved, the proposed work will provide novel insights into our understanding of
thermosensation and osmosensation in humans and their related neurological, renal and metabolic disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10832966
- **Project number:** 5R35GM126917-07
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Shawn Xu
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $427,777
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-06-01 → 2028-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10832966

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10832966, Neural and genetic mechanisms underlying behavior in C. elegans (5R35GM126917-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10832966. Licensed CC0.

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