# In vivo genetic analysis of dendritic spine development and maintenance

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2020 · $25,090

## Abstract

7. PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and schizophrenia
impact important cognitive processes and behavior. While the symptoms of these severe diseases vary, they
share disruptions in synapse development or spine formation4. Dendritic spines are small, dynamic, post-
synaptic protrusions on neurons that respond to changes in presynaptic activity1. Although spine dynamics
have been well studied, very little is known about the genes involved in spine formation and maintenance.
Recently, my laboratory discovered spiny projections on a group of GABAergic neurons in Caenorhabditis
elegans. Using C. elegans as a model system, the goal of this project is to dissect cellular and molecular
components important for dendritic spine formation and maintenance. Specifically, in the first aim, I will
define the structural dynamics, and cellular components that drive development and maintenance of these
spine-like protrusions. In my second aim, I will utilize findings from a genome-wide genetic screen to
investigate the role of unc-14, a cargo adaptor protein in these spine-like structures, and elucidate the
molecular identity and functions of 2 additional spine mutants, 21-6-1K and 31-6-1G2. Given the strong
homology between C. elegans and mammalian genes, I expect that my approach will identify conserved
mechanisms underlying dendritic spine formation. These studies will address fundamental questions about
dendritic spine biology and offer valuable training in microscopy, genetics, and molecular approaches that
will advance my scientific development and provide a foundation for my future scientific endeavors.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9864113
- **Project number:** 5F31NS103365-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Devyn Blair Oliver
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $25,090
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-02-12 → 2021-01-11

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9864113

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9864113, In vivo genetic analysis of dendritic spine development and maintenance (5F31NS103365-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9864113. Licensed CC0.

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