The genetics of behaviour

Supervisors: Dr Penny Watt (APS)and Dr Henry Roehl (BMS)

Key words: zebrafish, behaviour of vertebrates; statistical analysis

Project Description

Most of our knowledge of genes that affect the behaviour of vertebrates comes from studies on knockout mice with targeted gene deletions. Depending on the deletion, these mice have been shown to exhibit different behaviours from their wild-type controls. The zebrafish, Danio rerio, is an important vertebrate model species and it has had its entire genome almost fully sequenced. However, its use in behaviour has been limited and genes that determine specific behavioural traits have not as yet been identified in fish. Preliminary work (Wheat, Roehl & Watt in prep) has shown that heterozygotes carrying the lethal recessive mutation EXT2, known to influence the behaviour of mice, are less aggressive than homozygous wild-type controls. EXT2 is part of the heparin sulphate pathway, responsible for neural development in mammals. Other developmental mutants are also thought to be important in zebrafish behaviour but remain untested. The aim of this project is to determine the underlying genetic basis of specific behaviours in the zebrafish, using a combination of behavioural trials and genetic analysis. Specifically, this project will: (1) identify mutations known to affect the behaviour of mice and examine these in zebrafish, (2) conduct robust behavioural assays on mutant fish and their wild-type controls, (3) screen stocks of mutant zebrafish used in disease and developmental biology for specific behavioural traits, (4) identify candidate genes that are differentially expressed in mutants and wild-types, and investigate the natural variation in their expression.
Training would be gained in behavioural, molecular and statistical analysis.

Starting date: 1 October 2010.

How to apply: Complete an on-line application form via University of Sheffield web site at http://www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply/index.html. Send a full CV, via email to Mrs S Carter, s.a.carter@sheffield.ac.uk, or a hard copy to Mrs S Carter, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN.

Closing date for applications: 31 January 2010.