Lunar periodicity and the function of inner brain sensory-neurosecretory cells

Our group is interested in inner brain sensory-neurosecretory cells that are part of the ancient core of animal brains. In order to understand the function and evolutionary divergence of these enigmatic cells, the lab follows a comparative approach using both zebrafish and the marine bristle worm Platynereis.
Besides the molecular analysis of the cells, we are interested in their impact on biological rhythms. As in many other marine animals, the spawning of Platynereis is synchronized by the moon. We can mimic this rhythm in the lab culture, and use various molecular approaches to understand (a) the reception of the moonlight, (b)the transmission of the signal to the gonads and (c) the integration of lunar and circadian clock signals in Platynereis.
 

 

The polychaete Platynereis dumerilii (A) adult animal, (B) larva at 2dpf (picture from H. Hausen) (C) The phases of the moon (top) control and synchronize the number of sexually mature Platynereis adults.