Tap - a gene involved in neuronal differentiation

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Project objective

Research objectives and content The aim of my project is to understand the role of the tap gene in the control of neuronal connectivity in Drosophila. tap encodes a transcriptional factor with a bHLH motif which is expressed at a late stage in one of the neurons that innervate each gustatory organ. As these organs are functionally different, I believe that tap is responsible for the neuronal properties of the neuron in which it is expressed. To determine the developmental function of tap, I plan to identify loss- and gain-of-function tapmutants, and to analyse their phenotypes. This will be done by using genetic (Gal4-UAS system, FRT-FLP system, transgenic lines) as well as molecular techniques (DNA constructs) combined with DiI labelling of neurons and behavioural tests. I think that a better understanding of how tap acts will help us to understand how neuronal specificity is genetically controlled. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) My objective is to reach a PhD level for which I have voluntarily stopped my career as a scientific journalist. I have especially chosen the team of Dr. Alain Ghysen in Montpellier, for its particularly interesting scientific l and teaching qualities, which I think will greatly improve my capabilities in dealing with difficult scientific questions. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)

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Participants

• INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE · PARISCoordinatorFrance

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