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The molecular physiology of anhydrobiosis in bdelloid rotifers
Reference
S19912
Principal Investigator / Supervisor
Professor Alan Tunnacliffe
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution
University of Cambridge
Department
Institute of Biotechnology
Funding type
Research
Value (£)
186,747
Status
Completed
Type
Research Grant
Start date
01/01/2004
End date
31/12/2006
Duration
36 months
Abstract
On desiccation, anhydrobiotic organisms enter a state of suspended animation in which they can remain viable for years. Prevailing hypotheses suggest that non-reducing disaccharides ¿ trehalose, in animals ¿ are required for anhydrobiosis, although there is little supporting evidence from living systems. Indeed, we have shown recently that bdelloid rotifers undergo anhydrobiosis without trehalose, raising doubts over the requirement for sugars. It is therefore proposed to define key changes in the transcriptome, proteome and metabolome of rotifers entering anhydrobiosis. cDNAs corresponding to relevant genes will be obtained and proof of their importance will be sought by expression profiling and RNAi at whole organism and cellular levels. Functional modelling in vitro and in mammalian cells will also be carried out, and comparisons made with nematode models.
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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