FLIC: High-Throughput, Continuous Analysis of Feeding Behaviors in Drosophila

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 9(6), P. e101107 - e101107

Published: June 30, 2014

We present a complete hardware and software system for collecting quantifying continuous measures of feeding behaviors in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. The FLIC (Fly Liquid-Food Interaction Counter) detects analog electronic signals as brief 50 µs that occur when fly makes physical contact with liquid food. Signal characteristics effectively distinguish between different types behaviors, such tasting events. performs well or better than popular methods simple assays, it provides an unprecedented opportunity to study novel components behavior, time-dependent changes food preference individual levels motivation hunger. Furthermore, experiments can persist indefinitely without disturbance, we highlight this ability by establishing detailed picture circadian fly. believe will work hand-in-hand modern molecular techniques facilitate mechanistic studies using modern, high-throughput technologies.

Language: Английский

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Fruit Flies in Biomedical Research

Genetics, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 199(3), P. 639 - 653

Published: Jan. 26, 2015

Many scientists complain that the current funding situation is dire. Indeed, there has been an overall decline in support for research from National Institutes of Health and Science Foundation. Within Drosophila field, some us question how long this crunch will last as it demotivates principal investigators perhaps more importantly affects long-term career choice many young scientists. Yet numerous very interesting biological processes avenues remain to be investigated Drosophila, probing questions can answered fast efficiently flies reveal new phenomena. Moreover, excellent model organism studies have translational impact genetic disease other medical implications such vector-borne illnesses. We would like promote a better collaboration between geneticists/biologists human geneticists/bioinformaticians/clinicians, benefit both fields significantly on diseases.

Language: Английский

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Single dopaminergic neurons that modulate aggression in Drosophila

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 110(15), P. 6151 - 6156

Published: March 25, 2013

Monoamines, including dopamine (DA), have been linked to aggression in various species. However, the precise role or roles served by amine difficult define because dopaminergic systems influence many behaviors, and all can be altered changing function of neurons. In fruit fly, with powerful genetic tools available, small subsets brain cells reliably manipulated, offering enormous advantages for exploration how where neurons fit into circuits involved aggression. By combining GAL4/upstream activating sequence (UAS) binary system Flippase (FLP) recombination technique, we were able restrict numbers targeted DA down a single-cell level. To explore these individual neurons, inactivated them tetanus toxin light chain, genetically encoded inhibitor neurotransmitter release, activated dTrpA1, temperature-sensitive cation channel. We found two sets that modulate aggression, one from T1 cluster another PPM3 cluster. Both activation inactivation resulted an increase demonstrate presynaptic terminals identified project different parts central complex, overlapping receptor fields DD2R DopR subtypes, respectively. These data suggest types may through interactions complex region involving subtypes.

Language: Английский

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Opposing intrinsic temporal gradients guide neural stem cell production of varied neuronal fates

Science, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 350(6258), P. 317 - 320

Published: Oct. 15, 2015

Neural stem cells show age-dependent developmental potentials, as evidenced by their production of distinct neuron types at different times. Drosophila neuroblasts produce long, stereotyped lineages neurons. We searched for factors that could regulate neural temporal fate RNA-sequencing lineage-specific various found two RNA-binding proteins, IGF-II mRNA-binding protein (Imp) and Syncrip (Syp), display opposing high-to-low low-to-high gradients with dynamics. Imp Syp promote early late fates, respectively, in both a slowly progressing rapidly changing lineage. control neuronal fates the mushroom body regulating transcription factor Chinmo translation. Together, Imp/Syp encode cell age, specifying multiple within

Language: Английский

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Organization of olfactory centres in the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: Oct. 3, 2016

Abstract Mosquitoes are vectors for multiple infectious human diseases and use a variety of sensory cues (olfactory, temperature, humidity visual) to locate host. A comprehensive understanding the circuitry underlying signalling in mosquito brain is lacking. Here we used Q-system binary gene expression develop transgenic lines Anopheles gambiae which olfactory receptor neurons expressing odorant co-receptor ( Orco ) labelled with GFP. These project from antennae maxillary palps antennal lobe (AL) labella on proboscis suboesophageal zone (SEZ), suggesting integration gustatory signals occurs this region. We present detailed anatomical maps innervations AL SEZ, identifying glomeruli that may respond body odours or carbon dioxide. Our results pave way functional neurogenetic studies processing mosquitoes.

Language: Английский

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