My 2023 summer research will be conducted at the Molecular Recognition Laboratory under Professor Shinji Nagata at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Frontier Studies, where I will be elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of feeding behavior in insects. As a team, we will be working with crickets as a model to study these behaviors.
The Nagata Lab is studying the feeding behavior of host preferences phenomenon in crickets. More specifically, I will be studying the cricket’s innate behavioral motivation in feeding by exploring the mechanisms of host preference and feeding motivation in regards to endocrine control in the nervous system and metabolic mechanisms in crickets. I intend to monitor and collect data on the feeding behavior of these crickets using a transcriptional knockdown technique of RNA interference targeting several genes known to encode certain endocrine factors associated with feeding patterns and behaviors. In addition, I also plan to utilize techniques of RT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR, GC-MS, MALDI-TOF MS, and an assortment of behavioral analyses in my research this summer. One goal I have is to evaluate specific target molecules influencing feeding behavior and metabolism in crickets to develop a more comprehensive understanding of potential genes responsible for certain feeding behaviors associated in common modern-day health problems, such as obesity.
I first learned of this project last fall and instantly became deeply interested in this project because of how this research intertwines with my previous research experience on studying taste receptors in mice. I am intrigued and motivated by this research on feeding behavior of crickets because of how much there is left to understand about the genetic factors underlying certain feeding behaviors. I am incredibly excited to start my summer delving into this intriguing field of research and I look forward to sharing more about my international experiences this summer as well!
