Hubert Amrein, Ph.D. (Texas A&M University, US)
"RNA and glucose: receptors and sensors for ancient molecules with new roles in taste and metabolism of Drosophila"
12.11.2018 at 18:00
Location: Lecture Hall B01.019, LMU Biocenter
Host: Ilona Grunwald Kadow
Abstract: Dr. Amrein’s laboratory is interested in understanding how animals sense chemosensory cues, both externally and internally, and how they translate such cues into behavioral responses and physiological changes, respectively. Most of these studies were guided by highly conserved insect chemoreceptors, using reverse genetics to determine their specific function. Dr. Amrein will report on novel roles of two of ancient cellular components - RNA and glucose - in these processes. The first project describes the characterization and the function of taste receptors necessary to sense riboncucleosides and RNA in food sources of the fruit fly larvae. Secondly, he will report a novel role for glucose-6-phospatase in the fly brain and discuss the function of gluconeogenic brain neurons in the regulation of systemic sugar homeostasis.