Neuron-specific analysis of neuropeptide function in C. elegans

Animal behaviour and physiology are controlled by communication within the nervous system and with other tissues and organs. Neurons coordinate these processes by receiving, processing and transmitting information. Neurons communicate using two distinct signaling molecules – neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Neurotransmitter connectivity and function have been well studied in many organisms. However, how neuropeptides coordinate information flow to control behaviour and physiology is not fully understood due to the lack of tools to precisely control neuropeptide release from specific neurons. In this thesis, I aim to generate a toolkit to enable analysis of neuropeptide function at single-neuron resolution by spatiotemporally controlling neuropeptide release.