Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Ascending nociceptive pathways drive rapid escape and sustained avoidance in adult Drosophila

This study identifies abdominal multidendritic neurons as the sole somatosensory class driving rapid escape and sustained avoidance in adult Drosophila through thermal nociception.

Lack of Single Amino Acids Transcriptionally Remodels Sensory Systems to Enhance the Intake of Protein and Microbiota

The paper identifies shared and unique transcriptional changes in Drosophila melanogaster upon individual essential amino acid deprivation, revealing mechanisms linking nutrient scarcity to behavioral and physiological responses.

Drosophila learn to prefer immobile spherical objects through repeated physical interaction

This study shows Drosophila develop a preference for immobile over mobile spherical objects through physical interaction, with h{Delta} neurons playing a key role in this behavior.

Neural control of coordinated wing and leg movements during a terrestrial threat display

The paper identifies two brain modules in Drosophila that coordinate wing and leg movements during threat displays through synergistic and antagonistic neuronal interactions.

Mating status drives fitness tradeoffs in exercised female Drosophila

This study examines how mating status influences exercise response and fitness tradeoffs in female Drosophila, finding that mating affects climbing performance, lifespan, and fertility.

Behavior choices amongst grooming, feeding, and courting in Drosophila show contextual flexibility, not an absolute hierarchy of needs

The paper examines behavior choices in Drosophila between grooming, feeding, and courting, finding contextual flexibility rather than an absolute hierarchy of needs.

Ion transport peptide regulates body water balance via a receptor guanylyl cyclase in the Drosophila hindgut

This study identifies saITP and Gyc76C as key regulators of water balance in Drosophila hindgut via a neuroendocrine axis.

Steady-State Visually Evoked Potentials as Readouts for Abnormal GSK3β Activity in Drosophila

This study uses steady-state visually evoked potentials in Drosophila to show that altering GSK3β activity affects neuronal function, with distinct response patterns observed in constitutively active and inactive variants.

Octopamine signals coordinate the spatial pattern of presynaptic machineries within individual Drosophila mushroom body neurons

The paper shows octopamine signaling coordinates presynaptic machinery spatial patterns in Drosophila mushroom body neurons through Octβ2R and cAMP signaling, influenced by food deprivation.

Dual roles of Drosophila reward-encoding dopamine neurons in regulating innate and learned behaviors

This study shows that activating reward-encoding dopamine neurons in Drosophila induces innate aversion while also promoting learned attraction, revealing distinct roles in immediate and future behaviors.

Visceral signaling of post-ingestive malaise directs memory updating in Drosophila

The paper shows that post-ingestive malaise in Drosophila updates memories by modulating dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurons through Toll signaling.

Nuclear receptor-neurotransmitter coupling links behavior to metabolic state

This study identifies a mechanism in C. elegans where lipidated neurohormones couple neurotransmitter signaling with lipid metabolism to regulate behavior.

Flexible Steering and Conflict Resolution: Pro-Goal/Anti-Goal Gating in Drosophila Lateral Accessory Lobes

The paper identifies a layered control architecture in Drosophila lateral accessory lobes that resolves navigation conflicts by balancing goal pursuit and stimulus-driven overrides.

Sex-limited diversification of the eye in Heliconius butterflies

The paper identifies sexually dimorphic eye features in Heliconius butterflies, showing differences in UV opsins and screening pigments linked to courtship and oviposition behaviors.

Identity and functions of monoaminergic neurons in the predatory nematode Pristionchus pacificus reveal nervous system conservation and divergence

The paper characterizes monoaminergic neurons in Pristionchus pacificus, identifying conserved and novel patterns of neurotransmitter expression and function in behaviors like host-finding and dispersal.

Finding a path: Local search behavior of Drosophila larvae

This paper describes the local search behavior of Drosophila larvae in response to food stimuli and investigates the role of internal versus external cues in their navigation.

Developmental sleep reallocation enables metabolic adaptation in desert flies

This study shows that Drosophila mojavensis larvae sleep less and more deeply than Drosophila melanogaster to prioritize nutrient intake and energy storage, enabling better survival under starvation.

Hunger Recruits a Parallel Circuit Encoding Alcohol Reward

The paper identifies a Drosophila octopamine neuron that mediates ethanol seeking under hunger conditions by forming a parallel circuit with memory circuitry.

Evolutionary basis of intermale sexual behavior by multiple pheromone switches in Drosophila

The paper identifies pheromonal changes in Drosophila species that drive intermale sexual behavior and prevent hybridization with sibling species.

Electrical synapses mediate visual approach behavior

The paper identifies LC17 neurons and their electrical synapses as critical for visual approach behavior in fruit flies.

Ecological cues orchestrate concerted courtship in a Drosophila host specialist

The paper shows that ecological cues, specifically food volatiles, drive courtship behavior in Drosophila erecta by promoting sexual arousal and coordinating group interactions.

Cell-type-resolved RNA-seq reveals molecular engrams of sexual experience in Drosophila neuromodulatory neurons.

The paper uses cell-type-resolved RNA-seq to show distinct molecular engrams in Drosophila neuromodulatory neurons after different sexual experiences.

Notch canonical activity in a subset of glial cells regulates short-term memory in Drosophila

This study shows that Notch signaling in specific glial cells is essential for short-term memory in Drosophila and is modulated by dopaminergic pathways.

Population density triggers wing dimorphism via NlNompC-mediated insulin signaling in Nilaparvata lugens

ACETYLATED α-TUBULIN LYSINE 394 IS CRITICAL FOR AXON OUTGROWTH IN THE ADULT MUSHROOM BODIES OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

This study shows that acetylation of α-tubulin lysine 394 is essential for axon outgrowth in Drosophila mushroom bodies, with interactions involving Tau protein.

When non-canonical olfaction is optimal

This study shows that non-canonical olfaction, where olfactory receptors are co-expressed, is optimal in specific olfactory environments with correlated odorants and irrelevant sources.

Social Experience Shapes Fighting Strategies in Drosophila

The paper shows that social experience in Drosophila influences aggression strategies, increasing tussling behavior and improving reproductive success.

Disinhibition of a recurrent attractor gates a persistent goal signal for navigation

The paper investigates how disinhibition of a recurrent attractor network in flies enables rapid switching of persistent goal signals during navigation.

Osmolarity regulates C. elegans egg-laying behavior via parallel chemosensory and biophysical mechanisms

This study shows hyperosmotic conditions inhibit C. elegans egg laying through sensory and biophysical mechanisms involving HSN neurons and hydrostatic pressure gradients.

A GPCR signaling pathway in insect odor detection

The paper identifies a GPCR signaling pathway in Drosophila that modulates olfactory tuning properties in insect odor detection.