Molecular Neurogenetics of Thermosensation and Temperature Learning in the Nematode C. elegans

Abstract

Elucidation of the principal mechanism for sensory transduction, learning and memory is a fundamental question in neuroscience. Thermotaxis, an experience-modulated behavior, in Caenorhabditis elegans is an ideal model to understand thermosensation and learning and memory. Recent genetic, behavioral and optical imaging studies of thermotaxis have begun to reveal molecular, cellular and neural circuit basis of thermosensation and neural plasticity.