Citation
Prakash, Sharan Jagdish (2024) Experimental and Neuroinformatic Definition of Neural Circuits in Caenorhabditis elegans. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/bgvy-9p06. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:11162023-182820794
Abstract
The free-living nematode Caenorhabditidis elegans is an established model organism for research in molecular genetics, cell and developmental biology, evolution, and neuroscience. This thesis describes two research projects in C. elegans neuroscience. The first project concerns the challenge of synthesizing the accumulating neurobiological literature in C. elegans. I describe how an established framework for semantic modelling of cellular pathways can be adapted for semantic modelling of neural circuits and functional annotation of the nervous system, and its potential applications for systems neuroscience. A second portion describes a series of experiments investigating a decision-making process in C. elegans larval development that is under neuronal control. C. elegans larvae have the ability to decide among alternative developmental trajectories based on environmental conditions, that are detected via its nervous system. In this work, I describe the contribution of several neurons to this decision-making process, and our discoveries about the response properties of two neurons to ethologically relevant chemical stimuli.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.)) | |||||||||
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| Subject Keywords: | Caenorhabditis elegans, nematode, neuroinformatics, GO-CAM, dauer, decision-making, systems neuroscience, developmental plasticity | |||||||||
| Degree Grantor: | California Institute of Technology | |||||||||
| Division: | Biology and Biological Engineering | |||||||||
| Major Option: | Biology | |||||||||
| Thesis Availability: | Public (worldwide access) | |||||||||
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| Defense Date: | 2 October 2023 | |||||||||
| Record Number: | CaltechTHESIS:11162023-182820794 | |||||||||
| Persistent URL: | https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:11162023-182820794 | |||||||||
| DOI: | 10.7907/bgvy-9p06 | |||||||||
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| Default Usage Policy: | No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided. | |||||||||
| ID Code: | 16245 | |||||||||
| Collection: | CaltechTHESIS | |||||||||
| Deposited By: | Sharan Prakash | |||||||||
| Deposited On: | 29 Nov 2023 16:54 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 12 Mar 2024 22:48 |
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