Craig Montell

This study shows that Drosophila melanogaster can taste cholesterol, with detection mediated by specific gustatory receptor neurons and ionotropic receptors.

This study shows that light and cryptochrome modulate odor aversion in Drosophila by affecting TRPA1 channel activity through reactive oxygen species.

This study shows that cool temperatures induce deep sleep and alter circadian rhythms in Drosophila melanogaster during diapause, with sleep overriding light-aversion behaviors.

The paper identifies a pair of pharyngeal neurons expressing Ir60b that mediate salt rejection in Drosophila by interacting with IR25a and IR76b.

This study shows that mosquito attraction to specific hues is influenced by odor, with CO2 enhancing preference for orange and red wavelengths associated with human skin.

This study identifies Otopetrin-Like A (OtopLA) as the acid taste receptor in Drosophila, showing its role in detecting protons and mediating acid avoidance behavior.

The paper introduces AMBER, a genetically encoded bioluminescent voltage indicator that does not require exogenous substrate, enabling voltage imaging in freely moving animals.

The paper identifies 2-linoleoyl glycerol (2-LG) as an endocannabinoid activated by light in Drosophila photoreceptor cells, which in turn activates TRPC channels.

This study shows dietary restriction extends lifespan in D. melanogaster by protecting the visual system from age and light-related damage through circadian regulation.

This paper develops a CRISPR-based sterile insect technique to eliminate Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in controlled environments.

This study shows that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes require two redundant rhodopsins for vision-guided target recognition, as single mutations of op1 or op2 do not impair CO2-induced target seeking.

The paper identifies two groups of neurons in Drosophila that modulate the sleep homeostat through opposing actions, showing their coordinated activity is essential for stabilizing sleep/wake states.