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SUMMARY:Visceral Neurons in Drosophila: What the Fly's Rear End Can Tell U
 s About the Brain - Dr. Irene Miguel-Aliaga\, Department of Zoology
DTSTART:20090319T113000Z
DTEND:20090319T120000Z
UID:TALK16468@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Hannah Critchlow
DESCRIPTION:Invertebrate model systems such as Drosophila have greatly con
 tributed to our understanding of how motor neurons develop and control our
  voluntary muscles. By contrast\, the power of Drosophila genetics has not
  yet been harnessed to investigate the development and physiology of visce
 ral innervation. We have approached this issue at multiple levels: from th
 e genes involved in specifying defined visceral lineages\, to their functi
 onal output and integration into mature circuits. We have identified sever
 al defined neuronal lineages in the Drosophila central nervous system that
  send out axons to internal organs such as the digestive or reproductive t
 racts. Some of this innervation is motor\, whereas other subsets of neuron
 s express Drosophila homologues of brain-gut peptides such as insulin/IGF/
 relaxins. We are investigating the genes and developmental mechanisms regu
 lating the specification and pathfinding of visceral neurons. In parallel\
 , we have developed simple behavioural and physiological assays to assess 
 normal digestive/excretory function. The wealth of genetic tools in Drosop
 hila allows us to mutate single genes in subsets of cells as well as “si
 lencing” defined neurons. By doing so\, we are identifying specific pept
 ides and visceral neurons that regulate different aspects of gut physiolog
 y\, thereby beginning to unravel the interplay between the nervous system 
 and organismal physiology.
LOCATION:William Harvey Lecture Theatre\, School of Clinical Medicine\, Ad
 denbrooke's Hospital
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