An evolutionary perspective in innate immunity using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hinrich Schulenburg
• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2003 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5419517

Simple model organisms that are amenable to comprehensive experimental analysis show enormous potential to elucidate the molecular genetic architecture of complex traits and thus to enhance our understanding of these traits in other organisms, including humans. In the proposed project, we will exploit the advantages of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as an experimental system to study the molecular genetic basis of innate immunity. In particular, we will examine the induced immune response of two natural C. elegans strains towards the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. The microarray technology is employed in conjunction with Northern analysis for a first identification of induced gene expression. The exact function of candidate genes is subsequently studied by analysis of available mutant strains and by gene silencing using RNA interference. We expect that this approach will yield information about the conserved and variable components of the nematode's immune response. Considering that only little information is as yet available for lower invertebrates, including C. elegans, these results should provide novel insights into the evolution and function of the animal innate immune system.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1110: Innate Immunity