Objective Migratory birds have evolved exceptional adaptations: they can invert their circadian rhythms turning from diurnal to nocturnal, undergo rapid changes in body mass and fat stores, and cope with repeated cycles of fasting and feeding as they alternate between sustained migratory flights and refuelling stopovers. The genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying such remarkable adaptations remain poorly understood.Studies on small, wild-caught Passerines have unravelled several aspects of migratory physiology. However, they have not allowed to experimentally uncouple the suite of endogenous and environmental factors underlying the dynamics of the migratory state. I will circumvent such limitations by pioneering a novel experimental approach using two closely related, larger avian model species that are better suited for multi-scale investigations of proximate mechanisms and offer a direct comparison between migratory and sedentary individuals. The key goals of this post-doctoral project are to determine:(i) The physiological mechanisms associated with the activation and deactivation of the migratory state; (ii) Which genes modulate such transition via changes in their expression within key target organ tissues;(iii) Whether endocrine signals trigger the switching of the migratory state. This project will undertake a novel comparative and integrative approach to reveal completely new insights into the importance of understanding genetic and physiological pathways underlying the dynamics of the migratory state. It will also provide fruitful insights to both poultry science and biomedical research on the importance of nutrition on health and food safety. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsnatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyornithologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesevolutionary biologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesbehavioural ecologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesethology Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2015-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2015 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator VETERINAERMEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN Net EU contribution € 166 156,80 Address Veterinaerplatz 1 1210 Wien Austria See on map Region Ostösterreich Wien Wien Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 166 156,80