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H2020Individual fellowship2017–2018

MIGRADAPT · An avian model for understanding adaptations and modulatory drivers of avian migration

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2017-01-01 → 2018-12-31
EU contribution
€166,157
Participants
1
Scheme
MSCA-IF-EF-ST

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

An avian model for understanding adaptations and modulatory drivers of avian migration

Migratory birds have evolved exceptional adaptations: they can invert their circadian rhythms turning from diurnal to nocturnal, undergo rapid changes in body mass and fat stores, and cope with repeated cycles of fasting and feeding as they alternate between sustained migratory flights and refuelling stopovers. The genomics and physiological mechanisms underlying such remarkable adaptations remain poorly understood. The main key objectives of this post-doctoral project were to determine: (i) The physiological mechanisms associated with the activation and deactivation of the migratory state; (ii) Which genes modulate such transition via changes in their expression within key target organ tissues; (iii) Whether endocrine signals trigger the switching of the migratory state. This post-doctoral project is highly inter-disciplinary since it spans from eco-physiology to biomedical fields of research. Since several hormones involved in energy metabolism are shared between birds and mammals, studying the factors driving rapid body mass changes in migratory birds can provide important insights for both poultry science/industry (meat production and animal welfare) and also for biomedicine (nutrition). The project is also highly multi-disciplinary because it integrates tools from a wide range of disciplines (transcriptomics, neuroendocrinology, physiology, nutrition, behaviour, and avian biology) to identify molecular and physiological components regulating the migratory state.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Migratory birds have evolved exceptional adaptations: they can invert their circadian rhythms turning from diurnal to nocturnal, undergo rapid changes in body mass and fat stores, and cope with repeated cycles of fasting and feeding as they alternate between sustained migratory flights and refuelling stopovers. The genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying such remarkable adaptations remain poorly understood.Studies on small, wild-caught Passerines have unravelled several aspects of migratory physiology. However, they have not allowed to experimentally uncouple the suite of endogenous and environmental factors underlying the dynamics of the migratory state. I will circumvent such limitations by pioneering a novel experimental approach using two closely related, larger avian model species that are better suited for multi-scale investigations of proximate mechanisms and offer a direct comparison between migratory and sedentary individuals. The key goals of this post-doctoral project are to determine:(i) The physiological mechanisms associated with the activation and deactivation of the migratory state; (ii) Which genes modulate such transition via changes in their expression within key target organ tissues;(iii) Whether endocrine signals trigger the switching of the migratory state. This project will undertake a novel comparative and integrative approach to reveal completely new insights into the importance of understanding genetic and physiological pathways underlying the dynamics of the migratory state. It will also provide fruitful insights to both poultry science and biomedical research on the importance of nutrition on health and food safety.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • VETERINAERMEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN · WienCoordinatorAustria

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union