Chiou-Fen Chuang

The goal of our research is to use C. elegans as a model system to elucidate genes and mechanisms that generate sensory diversity at molecular and neural circuit levels. C. elegans consists of just 302 neurons with reproducible functions, morphologies, and synaptic connections. We know the identities, positions, and lineages of all neurons, as well as the complete wiring diagram in the C. elegans nervous system. In addition, the transparency of C. elegans allows us to visualize cell fates at single cell resolution in live animals using fluorescent markers. Furthermore, we can use C. elegans behaviors such as moving, mating, attraction towards specific odors, or avoidance from particular odors to analyze specific functions of individual neurons. Studies in C. elegans have led to the discovery of many important biological mechanisms (such as programmed cell death, RNAi, miRNA, axon guidance pathways) that are conserved from worms to humans. Thus, what we learn from C. elegans is significantly relevant to human research of similar biological or psychological areas of interest.