Vikas Bhandawat

Leg compliance is required to explain the ground reaction force patterns and speed ranges in different gaits

This paper shows that compliant legs are essential for explaining gait patterns and speed ranges in locomotion, challenging the use of stiff legs for walking models.

Behaviors resulting from the activation of single olfactory receptor neuron class depends on multiple second-order neuron types

This study shows that aversive behavior from Or7a-ORN activation depends on multiple second-order neuron types, specifically DL5PNs, which modulate the frequency of returning to the stimulated area.

Passive muscle forces in Drosophila are large but insufficient to support a flys weight

The paper measures passive torques in Drosophila leg joints and finds they are large but insufficient to support the fly's weight.

Neurons underlying aggressive actions that are shared by both males and females in Drosophila

The paper identifies a set of neurons, CL062, that mediate aggressive actions in both male and female Drosophila, showing a monomorphic circuit distinct from dimorphic aggression circuits.

Sensorimotor transformation underlying odor-modulated locomotion in walking Drosophila

This study investigates how Drosophila translates olfactory receptor neuron activation into locomotion changes by optogenetically activating different ORN combinations and measuring locomotion responses.

Statistical structure of locomotion and its modulation by odors

This study uses a Hierarchical Hidden Markov Model to analyze fruit fly locomotion, showing that odors modulate behavior by altering the use of locomotor features, with individual flies forming distinct clusters.

Kinematic and biomechanical analyses in Drosophila suggests that most legged locomotion in insects can be understood within a single framework.

This study analyzes Drosophila legged locomotion and finds that a tripod gait can explain both slow and fast kinematic patterns through a unified biomechanical model.