A5016888778- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications
- Plant and animal studies
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Neurogenetic and Muscular Disorders Research
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Plant Molecular Biology Research
- Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling
- Mast cells and histamine
- Prion Diseases and Protein Misfolding
- Animal Genetics and Reproduction
Western University
2014-2024
York College, City University of New York
2011
University of California, Los Angeles
2004-2010
California Institute of Technology
2003-2004
Queen's University
2004
We researched the lifespan of Drosophila under axenic conditions compared with customary procedure. The experiments revealed that presence bacteria during first week adult life can enhance lifespan, despite unchanged food intake. Later in life, reduce lifespan. Certain long-lived mutants react different ways, indicating an interplay between and longevity-enhancing genes.
Ecdysone, the major steroid hormone of Drosophila melanogaster, is known for its role in development and reproduction. Flies that are heterozygous mutations ecdysone receptor exhibit increases life-span resistance to various stresses, with no apparent deficit fertility or activity. A mutant involved biosynthesis displays similar effects, which suppressed by feeding flies. These observations demonstrate importance hormonal pathway, a new player regulating longevity.
We have established a new simple behavioral paradigm in Drosophila melanogaster to determine how genes and the environment influence behavior of flies within social group. Specifically, we measure space as distance between two flies. The majority Canton-s flies, regardless their gender, are body lengths from each other. Their experience affects this behavior, with isolation reducing mating enhancing respectively, both males females. Unlike several other behaviors fly, including formation...
Abstract Aggregation of the RNA-binding protein TAR DNA binding (TDP-43) is a hallmark TDP-proteinopathies including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). As TDP-43 aggregation dysregulation are causative neuronal death, there special interest in targeting this as therapeutic approach. Previously, we found that extensively co-aggregated with dual function GEF (guanine exchange factor) rho guanine nucleotide factor (RGNEF) ALS patients. Here, show an...
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental in humans characterized by complex behavioral deficits, including intellectual disability, impaired social interactions, and hyperactivity. ASD exhibits strong genetic component with underlying multigene interactions. Candidate gene studies have shown that the neurobeachin (NBEA) disrupted human patients idiopathic autism ( Castermans et al., 2003 ). The NBEA spans common fragile site FRA 13A encodes signal scaffold protein Savelyeva...
Physiologic and pathogenic changes in amine release induce dramatic behavioral changes, but the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate these adaptive processes, we have characterized mutations Drosophila vesicular monoamine transporter (dVMAT), which is required for storage of dopamine, serotonin, octopamine. dVMAT mutant larvae show reduced locomotion decreased electrical activity motoneurons innervating neuromuscular junction (NMJ) implicating central amines...
The astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle hypothesis posits that glial-generated is transported to neurons fuel metabolic processes required for long-term memory. Although studies in vertebrates have revealed shuttling important cognitive function, it uncertain if this form of coupling conserved invertebrates or influenced by age. Lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh) a rate limiting enzyme interconverts and pyruvate. Here we genetically manipulated expression Drosophila melanogaster (dLdh) glia assess the...
Unlike other monoamine neurotransmitters, the mechanism by which brain's histamine content is regulated remains unclear. In mammals, vesicular transporters (VMATs) are expressed exclusively in neurons and mediate storage of monoamines. We have studied visual system Drosophila melanogaster primary neurotransmitter released from photoreceptor cells. report here that a novel mRNA splice variant VMAT (DVMAT-B) not but rather small subset glia lamina fly's optic lobe. Histamine contents reduced...
Appropriate response to others is necessary for social interactions. Yet little known about how neurotransmitters regulate attractive and repulsive cues. Using genetic pharmacological manipulations in Drosophila melanogaster , we show that dopamine contributing the a group, specifically, spacing, but not avoidance of odours released by stressed flies (dSO). Interestingly, this dopamine-mediated behaviour prominent only day-time, its effect varies depending on tissue, sex type manipulation....
FOXP proteins form a subfamily of evolutionarily conserved transcription factors involved in the development and functioning several tissues, including central nervous system. In humans, mutations FOXP1 FOXP2 have been implicated cognitive deficits intellectual disability speech disorders. Drosophila exhibits single ortholog, called FoxP, but due to lack characterized mutants, our understanding gene remains poor. Here we show that dimerization property required for mammalian function is...
Social isolation causes profound changes in social behaviour a variety of species. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms modulating behavioural responses to recovery remain be elucidated. Here, we quantified response vinegar flies using two distinct protocols (social space preference sociability, spontaneous tendencies form groups). We found that increased reduced sociability. These effects were reversible could after 3 days group housing. Flies with loss function neuroligin3...
The social space assay described here can be used to quantify interactions of Drosophila melanogaster — or other small insects in a straightforward manner. As we previously demonstrated 1, two-dimensional chamber, first force the flies form tight group, subsequently allowing them take their preferred distance from each other. After have settled, measure closest neighbor (or space), processing static picture with free online software (ImageJ). analysis allows researchers determine effects...
Abstract The fly eye provides an attractive substrate for genetic studies, and critical transport activities synaptic transmission pigment biogenesis in the insect visual system remain unknown. We therefore screened transporters Drosophila melanogaster that are down‐regulated by genetically ablating eye. Using a large panel of transporter specific probes on Northern blots, we identified three transcripts flies lacking tissue. Two these, CG13794 CG13795 , part previously unknown subfamily...
We report the effects of aging and parental age in Drosophila melanogaster on two types responses to social cues: choice preferred spacing an undisturbed group response stress odorant (dSO) emitted by stressed flies. The patterns changes during were notably different for these responses. Flies initially closer space then became further apart. However, pattern change dSO followed a more typical decline performance, similarly locomotion. Interestingly, increased old parents, as well their...
Drosophila melanogaster is an emerging model to study different aspects of social interactions. For example, flies avoid areas previously occupied by stressed conspecifics due odorant released during stress known as the (dSO). Through use T-maze apparatus, one can quantify avoidance dSO responder in a very affordable and robust assay. Conditions necessary obtain strong performance are presented here. A stressful experience for emit dSO, well enough emitter cause response presence dSO....
Social interactions are typically impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, for which the genetic underpinnings very complex. can be modeled by analysis of behaviors, including social spacing, sociability, and aggression, simpler organisms Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we examined effects mutants autism-related gene neuroligin 3 (nlg3) on fly non-social behaviors. Startled-induced negative geotaxis is affected a loss function nlg3 mutation. space aggression also altered sex-...
Abstract The astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle hypothesis posits that glial-generated is transported to neurons fuel metabolic processes required for long-term memory. Although studies in vertebrates have revealed shuttling important cognitive function, it uncertain if this form of coupling conserved invertebrates or influenced by age. Lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh) a rate limiting enzyme interconverts and pyruvate. Here we genetically manipulated expression Drosophila melanogaster (dLdh) glia...