Mercedes Bengochea

This study shows that octopamine rapidly potentiates presynaptic neurotransmitter release in Drosophila by clustering Unc13 via diacylglycerol signaling, affecting synaptic function and behavior.

This study shows Drosophila fruit flies spontaneously prefer larger numerical quantities and identifies a neuronal substrate for numerical cognition.

The paper identifies TZAP as a developmental regulator of mitochondrial homeostasis critical for activity-dependent synaptic connectivity in Drosophila.