Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Encoding of antennal position and velocity by the Johnstons organ in hawkmoths

This study investigates how JO neurons in hawkmoths encode angular position and velocity of the antennal flagellum through intracellular recordings and ramp-and-hold stimuli.

Triggering and modulation of a complex behavior by a single peptidergic command neuron in Drosophila

The paper identifies a neuropeptidergic signaling pathway involving Mip and SPR that triggers and modulates a complex pupariation behavior in Drosophila.

Receptor tyrosine kinases CAD96CA and FGFR1 function as the cell membrane receptors of insect juvenile hormone

The paper identifies CAD96CA and FGFR1 as juvenile hormone receptors in Helicoverpa armigera through functional and molecular assays.

Peptidergic top-down control of metabolic state-dependent behavioral decisions in a conflicting sensory context

The paper shows that Dh44 and Ilp7 neurons in Drosophila larvae mediate metabolic state-dependent behavioral decisions in conflicting sensory contexts by regulating light tolerance.

A neural correlate of individual odor preference in Drosophila

The paper identifies a neural correlate of individual odor preference in Drosophila by linking microscale variations in the ORN-PN synapse to idiosyncratic behavior.

Aminergic and peptidergic modulation of Insulin-Producing Cells in Drosophila

The paper investigates how neuromodulatory inputs control insulin-producing cells in Drosophila using single-nucleus RNA sequencing, connectomics, and electrophysiology, revealing heterogeneous receptor profiles and differential modulation.

Natural non-coding pumilio variants retune value-coding interneurons to bias Drosophila oviposition choices

The paper shows how natural variants in the pumilio gene alter neural circuits in Drosophila to influence oviposition choices by affecting sodium channel expression.

Courtship song differs between African and European populations of Drosophila melanogaster and involves a strong effect locus

The paper identifies a strong genetic locus influencing courtship song differences between African and European Drosophila melanogaster populations.

A Priming Circuit Controls the Olfactory Response and Memory in Drosophila

This study identifies a priming circuit in Drosophila that modulates olfactory response and memory based on prior aversive or appetitive stimuli.

Octopamine regulates neural circuits in the mushroom body and central complex, influencing sleep and context-dependent arousal.

This study investigates how octopamine neurons regulate sleep and arousal in fruit flies by analyzing their connectivity and genetic regulation.

Mutation of the white gene in Drosophila has broad phenotypic and transcriptomic effects

This study shows that mutating the white gene in Drosophila causes widespread transcriptomic and phenotypic changes beyond eye pigmentation, highlighting the need for genetic background control.

Behavioural and neurogenetic evidence for emotion primitives in the fruit fly Drosophila: insights from the Open Field Test

This study uses the open field test in fruit flies to show emotion-like behaviors modulated by genetic and pharmacological factors, suggesting shared emotion primitives with vertebrates.

An optimized appetitive visual short-term memory paradigm in Drosophila

This paper introduces an optimized appetitive visual short-term memory paradigm in Drosophila that requires fewer flies and replicates than previous methods.

Neuropeptides from a praying mantis: What the loss of pyrokinins and tryptopyrokinins suggests about the endocrine functions of these peptides

This paper analyzes the neuropeptidome of praying mantises and finds that they lack pyrokinin receptors, suggesting these peptides may not be essential for their physiology.

Extracellular vesicles aid in the transfer of long-term associative memory between Caenorhabditis elegans

This study shows that extracellular vesicles mediate the transfer of long-term associative memory between C. elegans and C. briggsae.

Multiple methods for assessing learning and memory in Drosophila melanogaster demonstrates the highly complex, context-dependent genetic underpinnings of cognitive traits

The paper assesses learning and memory in Drosophila using multiple methods and finds limited correlation between olfactory and place learning, suggesting context-dependent genetic factors.

An updated catalogue of split-GAL4 driver lines for descending neurons in Drosophila melanogaster

The paper updates a catalogue of split-GAL4 driver lines for descending neurons in Drosophila melanogaster by adding new cell types and driver lines.

Social context and dopamine signaling converge in the mushroom body to drive impulsivity

This study shows that social context and dopamine signaling interact in Drosophila mushroom bodies to regulate impulsivity, with MB neurons mediating this interaction.

Neurofibromin deficiency alters the patterning and prioritization of motor behaviors in a state-dependent manner

This study shows that reduced Nf1 expression in Drosophila alters motor behavior patterns and prioritization, but not motor coordination, in a state-dependent manner.

Long-term memory formation impacts dietary energy intake but not metabolic rate in honeybees

Contribution of neurons that express fruitless and Clock transcription factors to behavioral rhythms and courtship

This study identifies sex-specific roles of fruitless and Clock-expressing neurons in regulating circadian rhythms and courtship behavior in Drosophila.

Male-male interactions shape mate selection in Drosophila

The paper investigates how male-male interactions influence mate selection in Drosophila by examining male courtship behaviors and neural circuits involved in repelling rivals.

Genetic targeting of astrocytes associated with specific neuronal circuit in adult Drosophila

The paper develops astro-TRACT, a genetic tool to specifically target astrocytes in Drosophila neuronal circuits, revealing their morphology and synaptic connections.

Connectomic analysis of taste circuits in Drosophila

The paper maps Drosophila taste circuits using a whole-brain connectome, revealing modular organization and modality-specific connectivity patterns.

Fast adaptation in invertebrate looming-sensitive descending neurons

This study investigates adaptation in looming-sensitive descending neurons of hoverflies, showing strong adaptation occurs within the neurons themselves when looming stimuli are repeated rapidly.

Functional Interrogation of Neuronal Subtypes via Intersectional Expression of Optogenetic Actuator Reveals Non-linear Components in a Linear Circuit

The paper uses a split GAL4-based genetic AND gate to optogenetically interrogate specific touch receptor neuron subtypes in C. elegans, revealing non-linear components in a seemingly linear neural circuit.

Structure of the Femoral Chordotonal Organ in the Oleander hawkmoth, Daphnis nerii

The paper characterizes the morphology and anatomy of the femoral chordotonal organ in the hawkmoth Daphnis nerii and proposes a mechanical model of its function.

Hawkmoth pheromone transduction involves G protein-dependent phospholipase Cβ signaling

This study shows that hawkmoth pheromone detection uses G protein-dependent phospholipase Cβ signaling, with circadian timing modulating sensitivity and temporal resolution.

Nutritional state-dependent modulation of Insulin-Producing Cells in Drosophila

The paper investigates how nutritional state modulates insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in Drosophila, showing that IPC activity is influenced by starvation, refeeding with nutritive sugars, and interactions with other neurons.

Driver lines for studying associative learning in Drosophila

The paper introduces a new collection of over 800 split-GAL4 and split-LexA drivers for studying associative learning in Drosophila, covering 300 cell types and enabling functional analysis of neural circuits.