Research Interests
Neuronal differentiation and maintenance in Drosophila
Complex nervous system function depends upon the generation of many different subtypes of neurons and the lifelong modulation of their function by intercellular communication. The identity and function of a particular neuronal subtype is a product of the unique repertoire of ‘terminal differentiation’ genes that it expresses (eg. ion channels, receptors, neurotransmitter biosynthetic enzymes, neuropeptides etc).
Terminal differentiation genes have to be turned on in appropriate neuronal subtypes during development and then have to maintained throughout the life of the organism in order for the nervous system to function properly. How neurons do either of these is still a matter of intense study. Three regulatory inputs have been shown to play a role in regulating the expression of such ‘terminal differentiation’ genes; 1) the unique code of transcription factors expressed within the neuron, and 2) factors/signals that are secreted from the target cell that the neuron innervates. 3) hormonal signals that signal important homeostatic or developmental changes.
Our research explores the mechanisms by which neurons selectively express and maintain the genes that define their unique identities and functions, exploring the roles of combinations of transcription factors and extrinsic signals. As the underlying genes and mechanisms are highly conserved from invertebrates to humans, we can learn much about the fundamental principles relevant to vertebrate neuronal differentiation using the simpler nervous system and genetic amenability of Drosophila.
Our research focuses on the following areas:
1) Target-dependent terminal differentiation of neurons in Drosophila melanogaster.
2) Maintenance of neuronal identity in the adult and aging nervous system.
3) Analyzing the mechanisms of temporally-tuned neuronal differentiation.
4) Sexually dimorphic generation of female-specific neuronal populations
Disruption of transcription factors has been linked to congenital neurological disorders, and disruption of intercellular communication and trafficking of target-derived signals has been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders. Our studies provide a mechanistic understanding of how these factors control gene expression pertinent to neuronal function, advancing our understanding of the aetiology of neurological disorders.
Complex nervous system function depends upon the generation of many different subtypes of neurons and the lifelong modulation of their function by intercellular communication. The identity and function of a particular neuronal subtype is a product of the unique repertoire of ‘terminal differentiation’ genes that it expresses (eg. ion channels, receptors, neurotransmitter biosynthetic enzymes, neuropeptides etc).
Terminal differentiation genes have to be turned on in appropriate neuronal subtypes during development and then have to maintained throughout the life of the organism in order for the nervous system to function properly. How neurons do either of these is still a matter of intense study. Three regulatory inputs have been shown to play a role in regulating the expression of such ‘terminal differentiation’ genes; 1) the unique code of transcription factors expressed within the neuron, and 2) factors/signals that are secreted from the target cell that the neuron innervates. 3) hormonal signals that signal important homeostatic or developmental changes.
Our research explores the mechanisms by which neurons selectively express and maintain the genes that define their unique identities and functions, exploring the roles of combinations of transcription factors and extrinsic signals. As the underlying genes and mechanisms are highly conserved from invertebrates to humans, we can learn much about the fundamental principles relevant to vertebrate neuronal differentiation using the simpler nervous system and genetic amenability of Drosophila.
Our research focuses on the following areas:
1) Target-dependent terminal differentiation of neurons in Drosophila melanogaster.
2) Maintenance of neuronal identity in the adult and aging nervous system.
3) Analyzing the mechanisms of temporally-tuned neuronal differentiation.
4) Sexually dimorphic generation of female-specific neuronal populations
Disruption of transcription factors has been linked to congenital neurological disorders, and disruption of intercellular communication and trafficking of target-derived signals has been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders. Our studies provide a mechanistic understanding of how these factors control gene expression pertinent to neuronal function, advancing our understanding of the aetiology of neurological disorders.
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Drosophila melanogaster has long been a leading model organism for identifying and studying the biological mechanisms that underlie human heredity, development, health and disease. Understanding the development and function of neurons within a complex nervous system is a particularly daunting task that requires the use of sophisticated genetic tools. The unparalleled 100yrs of genetic analysis together with the rapid adoption of novel molecular genetic approaches means that, today, Drosophila offers the most sophisticated array of technologies with which to study neuronal development, maintenance and function in vivo.
Location and Resources: Our laboratory is situated in the Life Sciences Institute on the UBC Main Campus. This building houses ~80 active research laboratories clustered into numerous research groups. We are members of two Research Groups, 'Neuroscience' and 'Cell and Developmental Biology', and share our immediate research area with a mouse molecular and cell biology lab (Bamji), a yeast genomics and biochemistry lab (Loewen), another Drosophila developmental biology lab (Tanentzapf) and a C.elegans genomics lab (Moerman). Our lab houses The Facility for Synaptic Imaging which consists of upright and inverted Olympus FV1000 laser scanning confocal microscopes. We share a dedicated Drosophila Facility with the other fly labs in the building. |
Contact us
Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences
Room 2401 Life Sciences Centre
2350 Health Sciences Mall
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
CANADA (V6T 1Z3)
Doug office: 604-827-5960, Lab: 604-827-4159 E-mail: doug.allan[at]ubc.ca
Room 2401 Life Sciences Centre
2350 Health Sciences Mall
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
CANADA (V6T 1Z3)
Doug office: 604-827-5960, Lab: 604-827-4159 E-mail: doug.allan[at]ubc.ca
