A5036023533- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Sleep and related disorders
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Dietary Effects on Health
- Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications
- CRISPR and Genetic Engineering
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- bioluminescence and chemiluminescence research
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Plant nutrient uptake and metabolism
- Neutropenia and Cancer Infections
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Blood disorders and treatments
- Light effects on plants
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
Center for Systems Biology Dresden
2022-2025
Technische Universität Dresden
2020-2025
Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
2011-2023
Philipps University of Marburg
2019-2020
Brandeis University
2016
Max Planck Society
2005-2015
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
2006-2010
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
2010
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
2004
Sleep is an essential behavioral state. It induced by conserved sleep-active neurons that express GABA. However, little known about how sleep neuron function determined and change physiology behavior systemically. Here, we investigated in Caenorhabditis elegans, which the single RIS. We found transcription factor LIM-6, specifies GABAergic function, parallel determines through expression of APTF-1, FLP-11 neuropeptides. Surprisingly FLP-11, not GABA, major component sleep-promoting...
The motility of molecular motors and the dynamic instability microtubules are key processes for mitotic spindle assembly function. We report here that one kinesins localizes to chromosomes, Xklp1 from Xenopus laevis, could inhibit microtubule growth shrinkage. This effect appeared be mediated by a structural change in lattice. also found act as fast, nonprocessive, plus end-directed motor. integration two properties, inhibition dynamics, molecule emphasizes versatile properties kinesin...
We present a physical analysis of the dynamics and mechanics contractile actin rings. In particular, we analyze ring contraction during cytokinesis in Caenorhabditis elegans embryo. general force balances material exchange estimate relevant parameter values. show that on microscopic level stresses can result from both action motor proteins, which cross-link filaments, polymerization depolymerization filaments presence end-tracking cross-linkers.
Sleep is ancient and fulfills higher brain functions as well basic vital processes. Little known about how sleep emerged in evolution what essential it was selected for. Here, we investigated Caenorhabditis elegans across developmental stages physiological conditions to find out when a simple animal becomes for survival. We found that worms occurs during most typically induced by the sleep-active RIS neuron. Food quality availability determine amount. Extended starvation, which induces...
Sleep is characterized by reduced muscle activity resulting in movement and a typical posture compatible with relaxed muscles. Prior to each molt, C. elegans larvae go through phase of behavioral quiescence called Lethargus. Lethargus has sleep-like properties, but specific not yet been described. Do relax their muscles during sleep do they assume posture? We measured worm body wall using calcium imaging across the sleep-wake-like cycle. found that worms were less curved had state. conclude...
Abstract Animals must slow or halt locomotion to integrate sensory inputs change direction. In Caenorhabditis elegans , the GABAergic and peptidergic neuron RIS mediates developmentally timed quiescence. Here, we show functions additionally as a stop neuron. optogenetic stimulation caused acute persistent inhibition of pharyngeal pumping, phenotypes requiring FLP-11 neuropeptides GABA. photoactivation allows animal maintain its body posture by sustaining muscle tone, yet inactivating motor...
Mutations of the CBP/p300 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain can be linked to leukemic transformation in humans, suggestive a checkpoint leukocyte compartment sizes. Here, we examined impact reversible inhibition this by small-molecule A485. We found that A485 triggered acute and transient mobilization leukocytes from bone marrow into blood. Leukocyte was equally potent as, but mechanistically distinct from, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), which allowed for additive...
Behavior is controlled by the nervous system. Calcium imaging a straightforward method in transparent nematode Caenorhabditis elegans to measure activity of neurons during various behaviors. To correlate neural with behavior, animal should not be immobilized but able move. Many behavioral changes occur long time scales and require recording over many hours behavior. This also makes it necessary culture worms presence food. How can cultured their imaged scales? Agarose Microchamber Imaging...
In asymmetrically dividing cells, a failure to coordinate cell polarity with the site of division can lead fate transformations and tumorigenesis. Cell in C. elegans embryos is defined by PAR proteins, which occupy reciprocal halves cortex. During asymmetric division, boundary between anterior posterior domains precisely matches ensuring exclusive segregation fate. The determine positioning mitotic spindle, suggesting one means might be coordinated. Here, we report that are coordinated...
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small proteins produced and secreted as part of the innate immune response to infection wounding. They target pathogens can also function signalling molecules, for example, promoting sleep in injury C. elegans . A transcriptional reporter transgene nlp-29 has been pivotal studying AMP gene expression regulation, but understand AMPs antimicrobial roles, protein trafficking needs be monitored. We have now created a knock-in translational allele , with NLP-29...
Sleep-like states are characterized by massively reduced behavioral activity. Little is known about genetic control of sleep-like behavior. It also not clear how general activity levels during wake-like behavior influence Mutations that increase generally believed to and mutations decrease have decreased We studied lethargus in larvae Caenorhabditis elegans. looked through a small set mutants with altered levels. As expected, increased typically showed less Among these hyperactive was...
During their development, Caenorhabditis elegans larvae go through four developmental stages. At the end of each larval stage, nematodes molt. They synthesize a new cuticle and shed old cuticle. molt, display sleep-like behavior that is called lethargus. We wanted to determine how gene expression changes during C. molting cycle. performed transcriptional profiling by selecting displaying either molt or wake intermolt identify genes oscillate with molting-cycle. found changed we identified...
Across species, sleep is characterized by a complex architecture. Sleep deprivation classic method to study the consequences of loss, which include alterations in activity circuits and detrimental on well being. Automating observation manipulation advantageous its regulation functions. Caenorhabditis elegans shows behavior similar other animals that have nervous system. However, for real-time automatic detection allows sleep-specific manipulations has not been established this model animal....
Sleep-active neurons depolarize during sleep to suppress wakefulness circuits. Wake-active wake-promoting in turn shut down sleep-active neurons, thus forming a bipartite flip-flop switch. However, how is switched on unclear because it not known translated into neuron depolarization when the system set sleep. Using optogenetics Caenorhabditis elegans, we solved presynaptic circuit for of RIS developmentally regulated sleep, also as lethargus. Surprisingly, found that activation requires have...
Eurasian beavers ( Castor fiber ) typically mate in the water at night, and observations of mating are extremely scarce. As a result, little is known about their behavior. Here, I provide video documentation River Elbe during daylight, offering unique opportunity to observe The cycle consisted of: 1) phase self-grooming on land, 2) followed by male pushing female into following her, 3) copulation taking place water. This was repeated several times throughout same day. These contribute our...