A stomatogastric system can be found in both vertebrates and insects, with common, fundamental functions for food intake and processing.

enlarge the image: rear view of 3D-reconstructed fly brain
Stomatogastric ganglion of the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster

Aim

Our knowledge about the adult fly peripheral nervous system is limited, despite its importance in the regulation of prandial processes like food intake continuation, termination and food sorting.

How

In this project we examine the anatomy and function of the about 50 cells of the stomatogastric ganglion in the adult vinegar fly. Individual neurons and their innervation are visualized by suitable driver lines, counterstained using immunohistochemical methods, and subsequently reconstructed in 3D. In parallel, we examine their prandial functionality by optogenetic stimulation or blockade.

Goal

Our goal is to identify which stomatogastric cell contributes to which part of prandial regulation, and to put this process in context between flies and vertebrates.

Publikationen

The prandial process in flies
Mahishi D, Huetteroth W.
Curr Opin Insect Sci. 2019 Dec;36:157-166.
DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.09.004

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