Brain Mapping of Fruit Fly | 28 Oct 2024

Source: TH

Recently, Scientists mapped the entire brain of an adult fruit fly, a breakthrough that advances our understanding of brain function in animals and humans. 

• Objective:  
  • Aimed to understand how brains are wired and the signals that support healthy brain functions. 
• Research Scope:  
  • The study mapped over 50 million neural connections among more than 139,000 neurons in the fruit fly a common model in neurobiological research. 
• Connectome Development:  
  • The research created a connectome for the adult fruit fly's brain, expanding on studies of simpler organisms like the worm Caenorhabditis elegans and fruit fly larvae. 
• Applications to Neuroscience:  
  • Fruit flies, capable of behaviors like learning, memory, and social interaction, serve as valuable models for studying brain functions relevant to humans. 
• About Fruit Fly:  
  • Fruit flies, part of the Drosophilidae family, are commonly known as vinegar, wine, or pomace flies and are usually found on ripe or rotten fruits. 
  • It has been a widely used model organism in biological research for the last 100 years, contributing to many discoveries. 
  • Its genome is fully sequenced, offering extensive information on its biochemistry, physiology, and behavior. 

Read More: Connectome, Brainoware