Genetics to Revelation

Abstract

One of the remarkable findings of Biology is that at a molecular mechanistic level, animals work in similar ways.  We aim to discover protein machines that ultimately allow the neural circuits of a worm to  properly coordinate its behaviour. To find these machines, we randomly damage the animal's DNA, and identify mutants defective in the behavior we are studying.  

Elucidating how a small part contributes to the function of the marvellously complex system that is an animal requires a little imagination and a lot of painstaking detective work. I will describe our analysis of several such machines found from worms to humans.