Jun 28, 2012 - Claremont, Calif. -

Elizabeth Glater, assistant professor of biology, has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to support undergraduate neuroscience research.

The $49,952 grant will fund a yearlong project that will examine the mechanisms by which genes influence behavior. 

“In humans, differences in genes can cause or modify susceptibility to neurological disorders. However, many common inherited diseases have an unknown and likely complex genetic basis,” said Glater. “This research will provide insight into how genes evolve and the biological mechanisms by which the nervous system produces behavior.”

Entitled, "Genetic and Neuronal Mechanisms of Food Preference Behavior in Caenorhabditis Elegans,” the project will study how genetic variations influence the food choices of different strains of Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic roundworm.

The project will introduce students to diverse areas of investigation such as
behavioral neurobiology, neural circuit analysis, quantitative genetics and molecular
biology. They will participate in all aspects of the research, including designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data and presenting their work at on-campus research symposia as well as national scholarly meetings.

About 20 students will also participate in a Molecular Laboratory Course where they will conduct experiments related to the proposed research.

A portion of the grant will be used to obtain equipment to measure the activity of neurons in freely moving worms and for undergraduate summer research stipends.