This Minority Starter Grant is on mechanisms underlying the function of biological clocks. Periodic timing of behavior is often regulated by cellular activity that is considered to act as a biological clock. Recent work has identified some of the proteins that are released as components of the timing mechanism, but it remains unclear how these proteins exert their effects on target cells elsewhere. This project uses a system of cultured tissue isolated from the fruitfly, Drosophila, which allows the potential for powerful genetic analysis of physiological mechanisms. Biochemical analyses are used to identify the timing of protein secretions and hormone secretions from this tissue. Results will show how molecular rhythms of clock gene expression can result in timed behavior patterns. This independent research follows NSF postdoctoral support, and will have a high impact on giving the PI a significant early boost to her career. This work also is likely to have an impact on both neuroscience and endocrinology in further understanding the cellular mechanisms that link brain and hormonal secretions.
