Life-long consequences of early life stress exposure in zebrafish

Host

Ruth Diez del Corral, Research Associate at Champalimaud Research

Venue

Seminar room

Abstract

Our research focuses on the main stress response system of vertebrates, the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and its final effector hormone, glucocorticoids (GCs). The HPA axis coordinates diverse aspects of stress response in all vertebrates and the hormones produced by the HPA axis are remarkably conserved throughout vertebrate kingdom. Strikingly, while critical for the survival and coping capacity of an animal in fluctuating environment, prolonged exposure to the HPA axis hormones is harmful and the dysregulation of the HPA axis is strongly implicated in a number of stress-induced disorders in humans.
In particular, early life stress (ELS) is a major risk factor for developing psychiatric disorders, with glucocorticoids (GCs) implicated in mediating its effects in shaping adult phenotypes. In this process, exposure to high levels of GC during development is thought to alter developmental trajectory of an animal leading to differential adult physiological and behavioural responses. However, the underlying  mechanisms at cellular and molecular level are poorly understood. Using transgenic zebrafish lines which allow HPA axis manipulation, we are studying lifelong consequences of developmental GC exposure. Here I will discuss some of the insights we have gained from our recent work on how early life GC exposure alters adult responses. 

Biography

Soojin Ryu studied Biology from Harvard University and obtained her PhD from the University of California at Berkeley. Following her postdoctoral work at the University of Freiburg, she started her own group as a Max Planck Research Group Leader in Heidelberg, Germany. She was a Professor at University of Mainz, Germany and since 2020 a full Professor at University of Exeter, United Kingdom. Her lab studies how stress hormones alter brain and behaviour using zebrafish.

Register here.
 

About CR Colloquia Series

Champalimaud Research (CR) Colloquia Series is a seminar programme organised by the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown to promote the discussion about the most interesting and significant questions in neuroscience and physiology & cancer with appointed speakers by the CR Community.