My research interest is in behavioral plasticity. I use C. elegans as an in vivo animal model to understand the connection between drug abuse and feeding behavior. In mammalian systems, there is evidence that obesity and drug addiction are mediated by overlapping neural and molecular pathways. C. elegans shows two distinct behavioral states; roaming and dwelling. Roaming and dwelling represent a food seeking and a food intake state, respectively. Recently it has been shown that C. elegans can discriminate between food quality and animals exhibit dietary choices based on previous experience. I’m attempting to identify and characterize the genes that modulate food choice and these distinct behavioral states.

PUBLICATIONS

Jee C., Vanoaica L., Lee J., Park B. and Ahnn J. (2005) Thioredoxin is related to life span regulation and oxidative stress response in C. elegans. Genes to Cells.

Lee J., Song H.O., Jee C., Vanoaica L., and Ahnn J. (2005) Calcineurin Regulates Enteric Muscle Contraction Through EXP-1, Excitatory GABA-gated Channel, in C. elegans. J Mol Biol. 352, 313-318.

Lee J., Jee C., Song H.O., Bandyopadhyay J., Lee J.I., Yu J.R., Lee J., Park B.J., and Ahnn J. (2004) Opposing Functions of Calcineurin and CaMKII Regulate G-protein Signaling in Egg-laying Behavior of C. elegans. J Mol Biol. 344, 585-595.