Nigel Groome Studentship: The impact of neonicotinoid pesticide resistance on the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in food-related reward signalling

On average, smokers weigh 4 to 5 kg less than non-smokers while gaining 4.5 kg within a year after quitting. Bees show addiction to sub-lethal doses of neonicotinoids (insecticides that mimic nicotine), resulting in difficulties with feeding and foraging and overall lower food intake.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of nicotine on body weight are complex and poorly understood. Nicotine acts on nicotinic receptors, which are expressed in parts of the brain that mediate food intake. Furthermore, nicotinic receptor expression increases in the reward circuitry of the brain upon sugar intake. Conversely, we have shown that nicotinic receptor expression decreases in the brain of the fruit fly upon starvation.

This study aims to elucidate the role of nicotinic receptors in food-related reward signalling and to evaluate the effects of insecticide resistance-causing mutations in these receptors on food intake to understand potential fitness costs arising from these mutations.

This is a collaborative project between the labs of Dr Andrew Jones, a leading expert in Cys-loop ligand-gated ion channels (CysLGICs) in insects and Dr Korneel Hens, an expert on fly genetics, CRISPR modification and feeding behaviour.

It is an exciting opportunity to use state-of-the-art molecular techniques to answer a very timely research question. You will use CRISPR to tag nicotinic receptors that change expression upon starvation in the fly brain and fly genetics to study the role of these receptors in reward signalling. You will also evaluate the effect of mutations in these receptors causing neonicotinoid resistance on food choice and food intake.

The studentship requires you to undertake the equivalent of up to 6 hrs of teaching per week on average, during semester time, and to include preparation and marking (but no more than 20 hrs per week), and to participate in a teaching skills course without further remuneration.