Scientists map the whole brain nerve of fruit flies

of neuroscience is to understand the link between neurons in the brain and specific behaviors. In a new study, researchers used computer vision and machine learning techniques to build a large database of all-brain neural maps. These whole-brain neural maps reveal the behavioral effects of activating a portion of neurons in adult fruit flies. The paper was published recently in the journal Cell
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the ultimate goal of the study was to link neuron circuits to specific behaviors. Current neuroscience techniques, such as electrophysiological imaging or calcium ion imaging, allow low-volume recording of only a small number of neurons at a time. Until then, no one had developed a whole-brain approach. Kristin Branson, a neurobiologist at the Janilia Research Campus at the Howard Hughes Institute of Medicine in the United States, said of the paper.
To collect the data, the researchers asked the fruit flies to take part in a walking exercise experiment in which they placed the fruit flies on a 5-inch-diameter plate with a low top and a height of only about two fruit flies to prevent them from passing over their companions' heads. Each experiment lasted 15 minutes, and the researchers used eight cameras to shoot simultaneously. Behavioral measurements include both moving behaviors such as walking, turning, and jumping, as well as social and courtship behaviors, such as chasing and spreading wings.
researchers also selectively activated marker neurons in fruit flies. To visually observe these manipulated neurons, they labeled them with green fluorescent proteins. It is reported that these fruit flies have a number of neurons expressing GAL4 transcription factors and corresponding GAL4 combined with upstream activation sequences.
, they developed an automated machine learning tool that captures the movement and behavior of each fruit fly line and compares them to wild fruit flies. The tool catalogues the behaviour of 400,000 fruit flies.
"We believe these databases will have two main uses: fruit fly biosurgeons will be able to look at the brain regions of interest, and behavioral scientists will be able to understand the behavior associated with different brain regions, and then conduct further research." Alice Robie of Branson Labs, the study's lead author, said. (Source: Science Network Tang 1 Dust)