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The laboratory is located
in Hensill Hall, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave., San
Francisco, CA, 94132
Photo courtesy of Hani El Shawa |
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Research Questions
The Fuse Lab is focused on understanding how the nervous system functions.
We use insect models to address questions that are fundamentally important
for all nervous systems:
- How do neurons transmit information to target cells?
- How do target cells translate these chemical messages?
- How can this information be modulated and coordinated to produce an appropriate behavior in the animal
- How have nervous systems adapted to various body plans and lifestyles?
- In particular, the lab is interested in how peptides, as neurohormones or neuromodulators, co-ordinate and modulate activities within neural circuits, and on individual target tissues.
We study the neural regulation of a complex behavior; namely ecdysis, or the shedding of the outer cuticle, in insects. We are identifying new peptides and their actions in ecdysis, along with the signal transduction mechanisms involved. We have also identified an inhibitory input that may be a key element in timing ecdysis behaviors in many, if not all insects. This inhibition may provide different insects (with different body shapes and habitats) the flexibility to shed their cuticles at appropriate times of day, or in appropriate lengths of time. This response is part of a network that we anticipate will be a general model system for studying neural modulation and control of the central nervous system in all animals.
Frequently used techniques:
- Electrophysiology (extracellular and intracellular)
- Tissue bioassays (e.g. assays for muscle contraction, enzyme secretion)
- Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization
- Video and computer analysis of behavior of whole animals after surgical manipulations
- Molecular characterization: gene sequencing, real time PCR
Mentoring
I have short and long-term projects for undergrads (freshmen to seniors)
and Masters students.
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