The Sieburth lab studies signaling pathways that regulate neuronal function, with the goal of understanding how these pathways contribute to the function of neuronal circuits controlling behavioral programs in the nervous system. My laboratory uses C. elegans as a model organism for studying neuronal function, because of its simple neuronal circuitry, the ability to visualize synapses and neurotransmitters by fluorescent imaging in live animals, and its powerful genetics. We combine state of-the-art behavioral, genetic, cell biological, and in vivo neuronal imaging techniques in to study the cellular molecular mechanisms underlying secretion of synaptic vesicles and dense core vesicles. The lab is interested in three major areas: 1) What are the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of neuropeptide storage and secretion from dense core vesicles? 2) What are the mechanisms by which oxidative stress regulates neurotransmitter secretion and stress responses, and 3) How does sphingolipid signaling control mitochondrial homeostasis in response to neuronal stress? Many of the genes we study are conserved in mammals, so our studies provide novel insight into the mechanisms by which neurotransmitter secretion may be regulated in humans.
To visit the Sieburth lab website go here: https://sites.usc.edu/sieburthlab/