Determining the possible functions of sleep in the jellyfish Cassiopea
Richard Harland, Professor
Molecular and Cell Biology
Applications for Spring 2025 are closed for this project.
Though sleep is pervasive across animals, the core function of this deeply conserved behavior remains unknown. Sleep has been hypothesized to serve many roles, from the replenishing of molecules consumed during periods of activity, to the facilitation of learning and the formation of long term memories. Recently, colleagues and I discovered that the upside-down jellyfish, Cassiopea, displays the key behavioral characteristics of a sleep-like state. This is the first animal without a centralized nervous system to have a defined sleep-like state. Cassiopea are also members of the phylum Cnidaria, one of the earliest branching metazoan lineages. Together, the presence of sleep within this ancient phylum supports the hypothesis that sleep is an ancestral behavior and emphasizes its functional importance. However, we still do not know what role sleep is playing in these relatively simple animals.
We will be investigating several questions that relate to the possible functions of sleep in Cassiopea. Is the sleep behavior affected by age? Is metabolic rebalancing impacted by sleep? Does sleep help them recover after injury? Do their neurons display cycles in activity as seen in the sleep states of other animals? Answering these questions, and others, would be significant progress towards understanding the role of sleep in Cassiopea, and give us insights into its function across animals.
Role: This apprenticeship will involve assisting in the use and development of software to track Cassiopea activity over several days and nights under different experimental conditions. Additionally, projects may involve animal husbandry, data analysis, dissections, immunohistochemical and in vivo staining, gene expression studies, microscopic imaging, electrophysiology and considerable creativity.
Qualifications: Applicants should be self-motivated and possess good communication skills. Experience in python programming or neuroscience is a plus - although no specific undergraduate course work is required. Creativity and a willingness to get your hands wet is essential. A long-term interest is desired so preference will be given to sophomores and juniors.
Hours: to be negotiated
Biological & Health Sciences