The applicant, Janis C. Weeks, is an associate professor (without tenure) at the Institute of Neuroscience at the University of Oregon. Her long- term career goals are to understand how hormonal effects on the structure and synaptic connectivity of identified neurons lead to changes in behavior. During metamorphosis of the moth, Manduca sexta, ecdysteroid hormones control metamorphic events in the nervous system including programmed neuron death, and the growth and regression of neuronal arbors. These morphological changes form a substrate for the massive behavioral changes that accompany the transitions between life stages. The proposed experiments address several issues related to how ecdysteroid-induced regression and/or growth of the dendritic arbors of identified motoneurons during metamorphosis affects their behaviorally-relevant synaptic inputs from identified sensory neurons and interneurons. Electrophysiological and anatomical (light and electron microscopic) techniques will be used. In addition, inhibitors of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis will be tested for their ability to block the ecdysteroid-triggered dendritic regression, and programmed death, of identified motoneurons. This research program is in a rapidly expanding phase, and several of the projects are beginning to require a great deal of direction. It is essential, therefore, that Dr. Weeks spend as much time as possible in the laboratory, both to carry out experiments and to guide the research of her graduate student and postdoctoral collaborators. Dr. Weeks now carries a burdensome teaching load of undergraduate and graduate courses that detracts significantly from her time spent on research. If awarded an RCDA grant, she would be relieved of all teaching responsibilities at the University of Oregon except a yearly graduate course in her research area, and of all committee and administrative duties. This would allow her to spend essentially fulltime on research activities. In addition, some of the extra research time provided by an RCDA award would be used to initiate pilot studies in collaboration with Dr. Richard B. Levine at the University of Arizona, to test the feasibility of addressing some questions of hormone action on identified Manduca neurons in cell culture. These studies would not otherwise be undertaken. In summary, an RCDA award would significantly enhance the applicant's development as an independent researcher by allowing her to devote essentially full-time to her expanding research program during a critical phase of her career. Furthermore, the opportunity would be provided to pursue a potentially very powerful new research direction.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Modified Research Career Development Award (K04)
Project #
1K04NS001473-01
Application #
3075162
Study Section
Neurology B Subcommittee 2 (NEUB)
Project Start
1991-01-01
Project End
1995-12-31
Budget Start
1991-01-01
Budget End
1991-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Oregon
Department
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
948117312
City
Eugene
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97403
Morin-Kensicki, Elizabeth M; Melancon, Ellie; Eisen, Judith S (2002) Segmental relationship between somites and vertebral column in zebrafish. Development 129:3851-60
Wiel, D E; Wood, E R; Weeks, J C (2001) Habituation of the proleg withdrawal reflex in Manduca sexta does not involve changes in motoneuron properties or depression at the sensorimotor synapse. Neurobiol Learn Mem 76:57-80
Weeks, J C (1999) Steroid hormones, dendritic remodeling and neuronal death: insights from insect metamorphosis. Brain Behav Evol 54:51-60
Sandstrom, D J; Weeks, J C (1998) Segment-specific retention of a larval neuromuscular system and its role in a new, rhythmic, pupal motor pattern in Manduca sexta. J Comp Physiol A 183:283-302
Wood, E R; Wiel, D E; Weeks, J C (1997) Neural correlates of habituation of the proleg withdrawal reflex in larvae of the hawk moth, Manduca sexta. J Comp Physiol A 180:639-57
Sandstrom, D J; Weeks, J C (1996) Novel dual innervation of a larval proleg muscle by two similar motoneurons in the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta. J Exp Biol 199:775-91
Weeks, J C; Wood, E R (1996) Short- and long-term modification of reflex function during learning and metamorphosis in Manduca. Biol Bull 191:62-9
Wiel, D E; Weeks, J C (1996) Habituation and dishabituation of the proleg withdrawal reflex in larvae of the sphinx hawk, Manduca sexta. Behav Neurosci 110:1133-47
Lubischer, J L; Weeks, J C (1996) Target muscles and sensory afferents do not influence steroid-regulated, segment-specific death of identified motoneurons in Manduca sexta. J Neurobiol 31:449-60
Streichert, L C; Weeks, J C (1995) Decreased monosynaptic sensory input to an identified motoneuron is associated with steroid-mediated dendritic regression during metamorphosis in Manduca sexta. J Neurosci 15:1484-95

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