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Our laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms underlying arousal, especially those that regulate sleep and anesthesia sensitivity, in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. We use genetic and molecular biological techniques to identify and manipulate behaviorally relevant genes and circuits. We also employ electrophysiological techniques to study cell excitability. Our studies have implicated a gene called sleepless (aka quiver) in regulation of sleep via modulation of ion channel signaling. Curiously, sleepless encodes a membrane-linked protein resembling neurotoxins. Current work involves the identification of upstream and downstream signaling components of the sleepless pathway as well as the determination of which neurons are critical for sleepless function. Other projects involve screens for novel sleep-regulating genes and neuronal circuitry, as well as studies to address how other members of the sleepless gene family regulate neuronal function.

Track(s):
Molecular Pharmacology
Physiology