Reference number : GC-2017-Q1-03351, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Calarco, John (University of Toronto), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Discovery Grants Program - Individual, program name french : Programme de subventions à la découverte - individuelles, program purpose english : How have animals such as humans, fish, flies, and worms evolved the capacity to create the many diverse cell and tissue types found in their bodies? This is a far-reaching question in developmental biology and the natural sciences. We are starting to understand that switching specific genes on and off in different tissues is emerging as a major determinant of cell identity during animal development. However, in addition to simply turning on and off genes, additional layers of processing occur in the path of converting genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. For example, a process known as messenger RNA (mRNA) alternative splicing, where multiple mature mRNAs are produced from a single precursor, has enabled alternative evolutionary paths to cellular diversification. In particular, cells of the nervous system, called neurons, have evolved extensive use of alternative splicing relative to other cell types, and specific splice variants have been shown to play roles in the development and physiology of neurons. However, despite its importance, it remains challenging to study the mechanisms, evolution, and function of alternative splicing specific to the nervous system in the context of a living, developing organism. In the current proposal, we will use the tiny roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans and its closest living relative species to gain a deeper understanding of this process. Our work in these accessible organisms will determine how alternative splicing in the nervous system can evolve, how it is regulated, and how it can contribute to the diversification of cells in multicellular animals like us., program purpose french : How have animals such as humans, fish, flies, and worms evolved the capacity to create the many diverse cell and tissue types found in their bodies? This is a far-reaching question in developmental biology and the natural sciences. We are starting to understand that switching specific genes on and off in different tissues is emerging as a major determinant of cell identity during animal development. However, in addition to simply turning on and off genes, additional layers of processing occur in the path of converting genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein. For example, a process known as messenger RNA (mRNA) alternative splicing, where multiple mature mRNAs are produced from a single precursor, has enabled alternative evolutionary paths to cellular diversification. In particular, cells of the nervous system, called neurons, have evolved extensive use of alternative splicing relative to other cell types, and specific splice variants have been shown to play roles in the development and physiology of neurons. However, despite its importance, it remains challenging to study the mechanisms, evolution, and function of alternative splicing specific to the nervous system in the context of a living, developing organism. In the current proposal, we will use the tiny roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans and its closest living relative species to gain a deeper understanding of this process. Our work in these accessible organisms will determine how alternative splicing in the nervous system can evolve, how it is regulated, and how it can contribute to the diversification of cells in multicellular animals like us., agreement title english : The mechanisms, function, and evolution of neuronal alternative splicing in Caenorhabditis species, agreement title french : The mechanisms, function, and evolution of neuronal alternative splicing in Caenorhabditis species, agreement number : RGPIN, agreement value : 250000.0, agreement start date : 2017-05-10, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2022-2023), additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2022-2023), owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada