UROP Project

Molecular basis of pheromone signaling in mice

Contact

Name

Daniel Holder

Program Director UROP

Telephone

workPhone
+49 241 80-90695

E-Mail

Key Info

Basic Information

Project Offer-Number:
456
Category:
UROP Abroad
Field:
Biology
Faculty:
OTHER
Organisation unit:
Harvard Medical School
Language Skills:
English

MoveOn

Mouse pheromones are chemically diverse in structure and regulate a variety of innate behaviors, such as mating and aggression. Some mouse pheromones are detected by a specialized olfactory structure termed the vomeronasal organ (VNO). VNO sensory neurons express large families of G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) that serve as chemosensory receptors. However, little is known about the molecular recognition properties of these VNO sensory receptors. Here, we will use a combination of molecular approaches and imaging to understand the molecular basis of VNO ligand recognition.

Task

The student is learning a range of molecular biology techniques, including cloning, in situ hybridization, heterologous protein expression, and in collaboration with Marc Spehr's lab, neuronal imaging.

Requirements

Basic experience in performing molecular biology protocols is required.

Full Address

Harvard Medical School
240 Longwood Avenue, Department of Cell Biology
02115 Boston
USA
Website