Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Exploring the molecular makeup of support cells in insect camera eyes

The paper investigates molecular similarities in support cells (SupCs) across different eye types in insects and vertebrates, finding conserved gene expression patterns.

The embryonic role of juvenile hormone in the firebrat, Thermobia domestica, reveals its function before its involvement in metamorphosis

This study investigates the embryonic role of juvenile hormone in the firebrat, showing its function in suppressing morphogenesis and promoting terminal differentiation before its role in metamorphosis.

Insights into vision from interpretation of a neuronal wiring diagram

The paper interprets a neuronal wiring diagram of the Drosophila optic lobe to show how six cell types process oriented visual stimuli and may perceive illusory contours and corners.

Specific sensory neurons and insulin-like peptides modulate food type-dependent oogenesis and fertilization in Caenorhabditis elegans

The paper shows that specific sensory neurons and insulin-like peptides in C. elegans influence oogenesis and fertilization based on food type.

Transcriptional profiling of Drosophila male-specific P1 (pC1) neurons

The paper profiles the transcriptomes of Drosophila male-specific P1 neurons in socially paired versus solitary males, identifying gene expression changes linked to courtship behavior and immune system interactions.

Glycolysis-derived alanine from glia fuels neuronal mitochondria for memory in Drosophila

This study shows that glia transfer alanine to neurons in Drosophila to support memory formation, revealing a metabolic pathway distinct from the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle.

FlyVISTA, an Integrated Machine Learning Platformfor Deep Phenotyping of Sleep in Drosophila

FlyVISTA is a machine learning platform that identifies sleep-associated microbehaviors in Drosophila by analyzing high-resolution video data and annotating body parts.

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.

Odor-evoked transcriptomics of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

The paper shows that prolonged odor exposure modulates mRNA in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, affecting odorant receptors, OBPs, and xenobiotic response genes.

Brief disruption of activity in a subset of dopaminergic neurons during consolidation impairs long-term memory by fragmenting sleep

The paper shows that disrupting activity in specific dopaminergic neurons during memory consolidation impairs long-term memory and causes sleep fragmentation in Drosophila.

Circadian oscillation of perireceptor events influence olfactory sensitivity in diurnal and nocturnal mosquitoes

This study identifies circadian-regulated perireceptor events that influence olfactory sensitivity in diurnal and nocturnal mosquitoes through RNA-sequencing and functional assays.

Modulation by NPYR underlies experience-dependent, sexually dimorphic learning

This study identifies sex-specific learning differences in C. elegans, showing that npr-5 modulates male learning through neuronal activity changes.

A single pair of pharyngeal neurons functions as a commander to reject high salt in Drosophila melanogaster

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

A comprehensive neuroanatomical survey of the Drosophila Lobula Plate Tangential Neurons with predictions for their optic flow sensitivity

The paper reconstructs and identifies 58 Lobula Plate Tangential Neurons in Drosophila using EM and predicts their optic flow sensitivity through computational anatomy.

Evolutionary transitions from female to hermaphrodite reproduction remodel olfactory and mating-receptive behaviors

The paper compares mating behaviors between female and hermaphrodite nematodes, finding differences in chemotaxis and receptivity linked to the ODR-7 transcription factor and sperm presence.

ppGpp is Present in and Functions to Regulate Sleep in Drosophila

This study identifies ppGpp as a molecule present in Drosophila that regulates sleep and starvation-induced sleep loss through the mesh1 gene and Dilp2 neurons.

Flexible circuit mechanisms for context-dependent song sequencing

The paper investigates how a single neural pathway in Drosophila generates context-dependent song sequences by switching between two regimes based on sensory input.

Large genetic analysis of alcohol resistance and tolerance reveals an inverse correlation and suggests "true" tolerance mutants.

The paper analyzes genetic data to reveal an inverse correlation between initial ethanol resistance and tolerance in Drosophila, suggesting a method to identify true tolerance mutants.

Rapid threat assessment in the Drosophila thermosensory system

This study shows that ON transients in Drosophila thermosensory neurons track temperature change rates to anticipate and respond to dangerous thermal conditions.

Balance of Activity during a Critical Period Tunes a Developing Network

This study shows that balanced neural activity during a critical period is essential for normal circuit development, as imbalances lead to hyperexcitability and reduced network robustness.

Activity-dependent survival of odorant receptor neurons in ants

The paper shows that in ants, orco mutations cause ORN apoptosis, but some ORNs survive by expressing Ir genes, suggesting chemosensory receptors mediate activity-dependent survival.

Neuroendocrine Gene Expression Coupling of Interoceptive Bacterial Food Cues to Foraging Behavior of C. elegans

The paper shows how bacterial food cues modulate DAF-7 expression in C. elegans to control foraging behavior through a neuroendocrine feedback loop.

Stem cell-specific ecdysone signaling regulates the development and function of a Drosophila sleep homeostat

This study identifies stem cell-specific ecdysone signaling as critical for generating sleep-promoting neurons in Drosophila and shows its impact on adult sleep behavior.

GABAergic signaling shapes multiple aspects of Drosophila courtship motor behavior

The paper investigates the role of GABAergic signaling in Drosophila courtship behavior, showing its necessity for motor coordination, song production, and mating success.

A single neuron in C. elegans orchestrates multiple motor outputs through parallel modes of transmission

This study shows how a single neuron in C. elegans uses multiple transmission modes to coordinate different motor behaviors during egg-laying.

Optogenetic induction of appetitive and aversive taste memories in Drosophila

This study uses optogenetics to induce appetitive and aversive taste memories in Drosophila by pairing gustatory stimuli with neuronal activation.

A rotational velocity estimate constructed through visuomotor competition updates the fly's neural compass

The paper identifies neurons in Drosophila that encode rotational velocity using motor and visual signals, updating the fly's neural compass through a mechanism that prioritizes motor information when signals are congruent.

Reward expectations direct learning and drive operant matching in Drosophila

This study identifies synaptic plasticity mechanisms in Drosophila that incorporate reward expectations to drive operant matching behavior.

Rewarding capacity of optogenetically activating a giant GABAergic central-brain interneuron in larval Drosophila

The paper investigates the role of the APL neuron in larval Drosophila, finding that optogenetic activation can induce a rewarding effect through dopaminergic pathways.

Beadex, the Drosophila LIM only protein, is required for the growth of the larval neuromuscular junction and sensorimotor activities

This study shows that Beadex is required for neuromuscular junction growth and sensorimotor activities in Drosophila, with genetic interactions indicating its role downstream of Highwire.