Cooperative and distinct functions of the protein kinases CK2 and RSK in regulation of the circadian clock and synaptic plasticity of Drosophila (A06)

• Subject Area: Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 208233609

The main objective of this project is to link the Drosophila molecular circadian oscillator with selected physiological outputs. Using a combination of molecular, biochemical, genetic and behavioral approaches we want to determine how protein kinase RSK is integrated into clock function at the molecular level, whether RSK is required to translate circadian information to adaptive synaptic processes or for time-dependent learning and how clock neurons interact with neural progenitor cells of the brain to influence their metabolism and proliferation, which might have an impact on neuronal composition and behavior.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1047: Insect Timing: Mechanisms, Plasticity and Interactions
• Applicant Institution: Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Thomas Raabe