Identifying the neurogenetic network underlying visually-driven sleep

About the Project

Drosophila Sleep Neurogenetics Laboratory at University of Leicester is open to supervise enthusiastic students for their PhD research in the area related to neurogenetic mechanisms underlying visually-driven sleep. Please see this page for the funded opportunities and contact kc280@leicester.ac.uk to discuss any self-funded possibilities.

Sleep is universally conserved behaviour across animal kingdom. Internal mechanisms including circadian rhythm and homeostatic processes determine daily sleep profile. Moreover, environmental and sensory stimuli can shape the sleep profile. In particular, previous investigations in animal models and vision disease condition indicates that light and vision are important for synchronising circadian rhythm and controlling sleep homeostasis. Using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, a well-established animal model for sleep and circadian rhythm, we and others have recently showed that distinct neural pathways controls day and night sleep levels (*1*–*4*).

However, the detailed neural and genetic mechanisms underlying these controls remain to be unexplored. To address this knowledge gap, we aim to apply the versatile Drosophila genetic tools to conduct our investigations in this PhD project. Specially, the project will apply combination of three following approaches: 1) exploring the roles of known light reception and visual pathways in sleep regulation, 2) investigating neurogenetics basis of the sleep burdens in vision diseases by generating and experimenting on Drosophila disease models, and 3) testing impact of artificial sleep manipulation on visual function.

Training opportunities:

The appointed PhD student will utilise the state-or-the-art sleep monitor assays (infrared and video based) and confocal and live imaging technique for their research investigation. They also have chances to gain skills in ophthalmology, transcriptomics and connectomics via established collaboration. The appointed PhD student will be also trained to present their researches in national and international conferences.

Outputs: The appointed PhD student will be guided to submit the finding and dataset from their dissertation in public data (Dryad) and article archives (BioRxiv), and facilitate them to publish their finding in the peer reviewed journals.

Enquiries

Project Enquiries to kc280@leicester.ac.uk and see https://www.kofanchenlab.net/ for lab details

To apply please refer to

https://le.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/research-subjects/genetics