The Neurophysics of Locomotion (submodule: C. elegans locomotion in environments with different physical properties)

Locomotion is intimately connected to the substrate on or in which it occurs. A swimmer in a liquid environment with drag needs to perform different strokes to effectively move its body than a walker on a hard surface. Using the roundworm C. elegans as a model, we will explore the interaction between the nervous system, muscular contractions and different substrates of locomotion in 2D and 3D motion. By altering the physical environment that the animals move in, we will explore both locomotion patterns and the driving neural signals using behavioral tracking and calcium imaging.