Award details

Intercellular signalling in the mammalian circadian clock.

Reference	BB/C509174/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Hugh Piggins
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Timothy Brown, Professor Alexej Verkhratsky
Institution	The University of Manchester
Department	Life Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	416,587
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/11/2004
End date	31/10/2007
Duration	36 months

Abstract

Recently, tremendous strides have been made in determining the molecular basis of the brain¿s master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). We now know many of the core clock genes and proteins and these have been distilled to an elegant model of feedforward/feedback transcription loops. However, we know remarkably little about the roles of basic neuronal properties and cell-cell signalling in this complex clock. Current evidence now suggests that electrical excitability and neuropeptide signalling are key players in permitting the expression of circadian clocks, at molecular and behavioural levels, in both drosophila and mammals. In this proposal, we focus on vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and its VPAC2 receptor to define their roles in regulating molecular, neuronal, and network activity in the SCN. Using transgenic models and sophisticated electrophysiological techniques, we shall define and dissect the relationships between clock gene activity, neuronal excitability in the generation and continuance of behavioural rhythms.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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