Distinct roles of transcription factors EGL-46 and DAF-19 in specifying the functionality of a polycystin-expressing sensory neuron necessary for C. elegans male vulva location behavior

Caenorhabditis elegans polycystins LOV-1 and PKD-2 are expressed in the male-specific HOB neuron, and are necessary for sensation of the hermaphrodite vulva during mating. We demonstrate that male vulva location behavior and expression of lov-1 and pkd-2 in the ciliated sensory neuron HOB require the activities of transcription factor EGL-46 and to some extent also EGL-44. This EGL-46- regulated program is specific to HOB and is distinct from a general ciliogenic pathway functioning in all ciliated neurons. The ciliogenic pathway regulator DAF-19 affects downstream components of the HOB-specific program indirectly and is independent of EGL-46 activity. The sensory function of HOB requires the combined action of these two distinct regulatory pathways

Molecular and in vitro Toxicology at the FHNW: FH - HES

In the recently established Molecular Toxicology laboratory at the Institute for Chemistry and Bioanalytics of the School of Life Sciences in the FHNW, we aim to develop and apply in vitro models for the investigation of toxic effects, with a primary focus on liver and kidney. In collaboration with other institutions, we are developing multicellular type 2D and 3D cell culture assays to be able to closely mimic relevant in vivo situations. In parallel we are broadening the choice of available endpoint analyses