Using Drosophila to uncover dendrite self-destruction programs. (360G-Wellcome-091610_Z_10_Z)

£334,474

We still now little about the molecular mechanisms that control the orderly developmental degeneration of axons and dendrites during pruning. Current thinking suggests that neurite degeneration, like apoptosis, is an active and tightly controlled self-destruction event. In this proposal I describe a strategy that uses Drosophila to identify molecules that orchestrate the developmental degeneration of dendrites. This approach combines the strength of Drosophila forward genetics with the detailed in vivo imaging of the class IV dendritic arborizing sensory neuron ddaC. These neurons require the nuclear receptor EcR to remodel during metamorphosis. We have exploited this biology to design a genome-wide interaction screen that will reveal evolutionarily conserved downstream target genes. We will 1) identify candidate genes required for dendrite pruning using a deficiency-based genetic interaction screen. 2) Functionally characterize the candidate genes and perform genetic epistasis studies to determine how these co-operate with known regulators of the pruning pathway. This will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of this fundamental, but little understood, developmental process.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 334474
Applicant Surname Williams
Approval Committee Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Funding Committee
Award Date 2010-05-05T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2009/10
Grant Programme: Title Project Grant
Internal ID 091610/Z/10/Z
Lead Applicant Dr Darren Williams
Partnership Value 334474
Planned Dates: End Date 2013-11-18T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2010-11-19T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Greater London