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DTSTART:20231024T080000Z
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TRANSP:OPAQUE
LOCATION:ICFO Auditorium
SUMMARY:ICFO | NAWAPHAT MALAIWONG
CLASS:PUBLIC
DESCRIPTION:Locomotion behavior is the output of the integrated clues by th
 e nervous system along with proprioceptive regulation\, which encompasses 
 responses such as avoiding\, feeding\, and reproduction. Mechanosensation\
 , the ability to sense mechanical force\, relies on mechanically-gated ion
  channels that convert force into neuronal signals through conformational 
 changes. Unraveling the mechanisms underlying these mechanosensitive chann
 els poses a significant challenge for neurobiologists and cell biologists.
  My PhD work employed multidisciplinary approaches in biology\, physics\, 
 mathematics\, and engineering to investigate the regulation of propriocept
 ion in the model organism C. elegans in the molecular and cellular scales.
 \nIn my research\, I focused on understanding the role of the interneuron 
 DVA during movement and its ability to draft signals from body curvatures.
  Using genetically modified strains and calcium imaging techniques\, I dem
 onstrated that DVA responds to compressive forces through its axon\, leadi
 ng to an influx of calcium ions through the TRP-4 channel. Additionally\, 
 I discovered that bending of the worm stretches the DVA axon and activates
  the potassium ion channel TWK-16. Both channels detect mechanical forces 
 and modulate DVA signal\, such interplay encodes calcium signals along the
  body curves\, facilitating the reception and fine-tuning of muscle contra
 ctions in different body segments. Moreover\, I discovered the critical ro
 le of beta-spectrin in maintaining the structural integrity and propriocep
 tive function in response to force. To delve deeper into the subject\, add
 itional research was conducted to examine the role of beta-spectrin in the
  ageing process and its impact on proprioception and protein expression in
  C. elegans.\nApart from the proprioceptive regulation through neuronal si
 gnal\, my study revealed that the DVA-specific neuropeptide\, NLP-12\, is 
 responsible to modulate locomotion behavior. Using transgenic animals\, im
 aging techniques\, and protein modification approaches\, the results showe
 d that NLP-12 is required to promote the DVA-mediated motor output. Intere
 stingly\, first evidences suggest that NLP-12 release is controlled by mec
 hanical force. However\, the exact mechanism on such effect will be furthe
 r characterized.\nDuring my PhD research\, I developed a novel technique c
 alled Fluorescent Landmark Interference (FLInt) for integrating transgenes
  into the C. elegans genome using CRISPR/Cas9. FLInt is a simple\, rapid\,
  and flexible method for establishing transgenic C. elegans strains based 
 on the precise excision of fluorescent genes at a specific locus as marker
 s of integration. FLInt has gained widespread popularity and is now employ
 ed as a routine method in C. elegans research laboratories around the worl
 d.The novelty of my PhD study lies in its pursuit of both fundamental know
 ledge and practical applications: (1) to understand the broader concept of
  mechanosensation and gain valuable insights into how organisms perceive a
 nd respond to mechanical stimuli and (2) to offer an accessible and effici
 ent tool for C. elegans research community and enhance future studies usin
 g C. elegans model.\n&nbsp\;\nWednesday October 24\, 10:00 h. ICFO Auditor
 ium \nThesis Director: Pr of Dr. Michael Krieg
DTSTAMP:20260405T123108Z
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