Robinson, Jacob T.2021-05-032021-11-012021-052021-04-29May 2021Badhiwala, Krishna. "Interrogating sensorimotor information processing in the highly regenerative and diffuse nerve net of Hydra." (2021) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/110467">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/110467</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/110467Hydra vulgaris is an emerging model organism for neuroscience due to its small size, transparency, genetic tractability and regenerative nervous system. While this freshwater cnidarian has been studied for centuries by developmental biologists, fundamental properties of many sensorimotor behaviors remain unknown. Here, we use microfluidic devices combined with calcium imaging and resectioning to study how the nervous system coordinates the animal’s mechanosensory response. Our findings point to a model of information processing where the oral and aboral nerve rings work together to coordinate sensory motor behaviors. Specifically, we found that animals contract in response to mechanical stimuli, and this response relies on neurons in both the oral and aboral nerve rings, with the oral nerve ring being the most important for mediating this sensory motor behavior. In addition to being the primary mediator of the mechanosensory response, the oral nerve ring also plays a dominant role in regulating basal contraction rates. We also find that the oral nerve ring works in concert with the aboral nerve ring to coordinate muscle activity. This model for sensory information processing where the oral nerve ring is the primary integrator of sensory input is a step toward understanding how Hydra’s regenerative and diffuse nervous system supports sensorimotor behaviors, which is needed to make Hydra a richer model organism for neuroscience.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.Hydramicrofluidicsneurotechnologysensorimotor responsesThesis2021-05-03