Analysis of the supportive role of glial cells in nutrient homeostsis of the Drosophila brain

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Stefanie Schirmeier
• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: from 2012 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 214909443

Neuronal function consumes a large amount of energy and thus the brain requires a constant but regulated supply of metabolites. In invertebrates, such as Drosophila, the nervous system is floating in the hemolymph and all metabolites that enter the brain have to be transported across the blood brain barrier (BBB). The Drosophila BBB is generated by glia, which completely encapsulate the nervous system. Thus, all metabolites reach the neurons en route through glia.Here I want to understand carbohydrate homeostasis of the brain and will address the following questions: How are carbohydrates taken up by glia? Which metabolic products are then channelled to neurons? How is sugar transport within the glia coupled to the neuronal energy demand? The main transport sugar in Drosophila is trehalose. I will directly follow trehalose uptake into glia using click-chemistry. Furthermore, relevant genes will be characterized via RNAi based knockdown of putative sugar and monocarboxylate transporters and the analysis of classical mutants. Subsequently, I will set up an in vivo reporter system which will allow to visualize nutrient homeostasis and will thus permit screens for genes involved in the regulation of nutrient homeostasis.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants