Publications

Alexander KD, Ramachandran S, Biswas K, Lambert CM, Russell J, Oliver DB, Armstrong W, Rettler M, Liu S, Doitsidou M, Bénard C, Walker AK, Francis MM. (2023) The homeodomain transcriptional regulator DVE-1 directs a program for synapse elimination during circuit remodeling. Nat Commun. Nov 18;14(1):7520. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-43281-4. PMID: 37980357; PMCID: PMC10657367.

Biswas, Kasturi, Kellianne Alexander, and Michael M. Francis. 2022. "Reactive Oxygen Species: Angels and Demons in the Life of a Neuron" NeuroSci 3, no. 1: 130-145. https://doi.org/10.3390/neurosci3010011

Oliver D, Ramachandran S, Philbrook A, Lambert CM, Nguyen KCQ, Hall DH, Francis MM. (2022) Kinesin-3 mediated axonal delivery of presynaptic neurexin stabilizes dendritic spines and postsynaptic components. PLoS Genet. Jan 28;18(1):e1010016. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010016. PMID: 35089924; PMCID: PMC8827443.

Shankar Ramachandran, Navonil Banerjee, Raja Bhattacharya, Michele L Lemons, Jeremy Florman, Christopher M Lambert, Denis Touroutine, Kellianne Alexander, Liliane Schoofs, Mark J Alkema, Isabel Beets, Michael M Francis (2021) A conserved neuropeptide system links head and body motor circuits to enable adaptive behavior eLife 10:e71747 https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.71747

Oliver D, Norman E, Bates H, Avard R, Rettler M, Bénard CY, Francis MM*, Lemons ML*. (2019) Integrins have cell-type-specific roles in the development of motor neuron connectivity. J Dev Biol. Aug 27;7(3). pii: E17. doi: 10.3390/jdb7030017. *corresponding authors

Huang YC, Pirri J, Rayes D, Gao S, Mulcahy B, Grant J, Saheki Y, Francis MM, Zhen M, Alkema MJ. (2019) Gain-of-function mutations in the UNC-2/CaV2α channel lead to hyperactivity and excitation-dominant synaptic transmission in Caenorhabditis elegans. Elife. 2019 Aug 5;8. pii: e45905. doi: 10.7554/eLife.45905.

Oliver, D., Alexander, K., & Francis, M.M. (2018). Molecular mechanisms directing spine outgrowth and synaptic partner selection in Caenorhabditis elegans. Journal of Experimental Neuroscience. Commentary.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1179069518816088.

Philbrook A, Ramachandran S, Lambert CM, Oliver D, Florman J, Alkema MJ, Lemons M, Francis MM. Neurexin directs partner-specific synaptic connectivity in C. elegans. Elife. 2018 Jul 24;7. pii: e35692. doi: 10.7554/eLife.35692.

Barbagallo B#, Philbrook A#, Touroutine D, Banerjee N, Oliver D, Lambert CM, and Francis MM. (2017) Excitatory neurons sculpt GABAergic neuronal connectivity in the C. elegans motor circuit. Development 144(10):1807-1819. #equal contributions

Banerjee N, Bhattacharya R, Gorczyca M, Collins KM, and Francis MM. (2017) Local neuropeptide signaling modulates serotonergic transmission to shape the temporal organization of C. elegans egg-laying behavior. PLoS Genet 13(4):e1006697. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006697.

Philbrook A, Francis MM. (2016) Emerging Technologies in the Analysis of C. elegans Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. In: Li M. (eds) Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Technologies. Neuromethods, vol 117. Humana Press, New York, NY

Francis MM, Freeman MR. (2016) Dendrites actively restrain axon outgrowth and regeneration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113(20):5465-6.

Bhattacharya R, Francis MM. (2015) In the proper context: Neuropeptide regulation of behavioral transitions during food searching. Worm Jul 9;4(3):e1062971. doi: 10.1080/21624054.2015.1062971. eCollection 2015 Jul-Sep.

He S#, Philbrook A#, McWhirter R, Gabel CV, Taub DG, Francis MM* and Miller DM*. (2015) Transcriptional control of postsynaptic remodeling through regulated expression of an immunoglobulin superfamily protein. Curr Biol. 2015 Sep 16. pii: S0960-9822(15)00993-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.08.022. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 26387713.
^#equal contributions, *corresponding authors.

Bhattacharya R, Touroutine D, Barbagallo B, Climer J, Lambert CM, Clark CM, Alkema MJ and Francis MM. (2014) A conserved dopamine-cholecystokinin signaling pathway shapes context–dependent C. elegans behavior, PLOS Genet. 10(8):e1004584. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004584.

Kowalski JR, Dube H, Touroutine D, Goodwin PR, Didier Z, Carozza M, Francis MM and Juo P. (2014) The Anaphase Promoting Complex regulates GABAergic synaptic transmission at the C. elegans neuromuscular junction. Mol Cell Neurosci. 58:62-75.

Philbrook A, Barbagallo B, and Francis MM. (2013) A tale of two receptors: Dual roles for ionotropic acetylcholine receptors in regulating motor neuron excitation and inhibition. Worm Jul 1;2(3):e25765. doi: 10.4161/worm.25765.

Petrash HA, Philbrook A, Haburcak M, Barbagallo B, Francis MM. (2013) ACR-12 ionotropic acetylcholine receptor complexes regulate inhibitory motor neuron activity in C. elegans. Journal of Neuroscience 33(13):5524-32.

Donnelly JL, Clark CM, Leifer AM, Pirri JK, Haburcak M, Francis MM, Samuel ADT, and Alkema MJ. (2013) Monoaminergic orchestration of motor programs in a complex C. elegans behavior, PLOS Biology 11(4):e1001529.

Jensen M, Hoerndli FJ, Brockie PJ, Wang R, Johnson E, Maxfield D, Francis MM, Madsen DM, Maricq AV (2012). Wnt signaling regulates acetylcholine receptor translocation and synaptic plasticity in the adult nervous system. Cell 149(1):173-87.

Barbagallo B, Prescott HA, Boyle P, Climer J, Francis MM . A dominant mutation in a neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit leads to motor neuron degeneration in C. elegans . 2010. J Neurosci. 30(42):13932-42. 

Pirri JK, McPherson AD, Donnelly JL, Francis MM , Alkema MJ. A tyramine-gated chloride channel coordinates distinct motor programs of a Caenorhabditis elegansescape response. 2009. Neuron 62(4):526-38.  

Wang R, Walker CS, Brockie PJ, Francis MM , Mellem JE, Madsen DM, Maricq AV. Evolutionary conserved role for TARPs in the gating of glutamate receptors and tuning of synaptic function. (2008) Neuron 59(6): 997-1008. 

Emery P, Francis M . Circadian rhythms: timing the sense of smell. (2008) Current Biology 18(13): R569-71.   

Walker CS, Brockie PJ, Madsen DM, Francis MM , Zheng Y, Koduri S, Mellem JE, Strutz-Seebohm N, Maricq AV.(2006) Reconstitution of invertebrate glutamate receptor function depends on stargazin-like proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 103(28):10781-6.   

Walker CS*, Francis MM *, Brockie PJ, Madsen DM, Zheng Y, Maricq AV.(2006) Conserved SOL-1 proteins regulate ionotropic glutamate receptor desensitization. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103(28):10787-92.   
*these authors contributed equally 

Francis MM , Maricq, AV. (2006) Electrophysiological analysis of neuronal and muscle function in C. elegans . Methods Mol Biol. 351: 175-92.  

Zheng Y., P.J. Brockie, J.E. Mellem, D.M. Madsen, C.S. Walker, M.M. Francis and A.V. Maricq. (2006) SOL-1 is an auxiliary subunit that modulates the gating of GLR-1 glutamate receptors in C. elegans . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103(4): 1100-5.   

Francis M.M. , S.P. Evans, M. Jensen, D.M. Madsen, K.R. Norman, J. Mancuso, and A.V. Maricq. (2005) The Ror Receptor Tyrosine Kinase CAM-1 is Required for ACR-16 Mediated Synaptic Transmission at the C. elegans Neuromuscular Junction. Neuron 46(4): 581-594.   

Francis, M.M , J.E. Mellem and A.V. Maricq. (2003) Bridging the gap between genes and behavior: recent advances in the electrophysiological analysis of neural function inCaenorhabditis elegans . Trends in Neurosciences, 26(2):90-99.