Animals use intracellular signalling pathways in a wide range of physiological, behavioural and developmental processes. In many cases the same signalling molecule is used to bring about different and very specific outcomes in a variety of biological activities. Furthermore the same signalling molecule may have different roles within a single cell. An excellent example of this is signalling mediated by calcium ions.
Our aim is to dissect the mechanisms that allow animals to encode specificity in relatively simple molecular systems. To do this we use C. elegans. It enables us to bridge the gap between molecular and whole animal studies.
Our research is supported by the BBSRC, MRC and Wellcome Trust.