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Tiny flies, powerful tools!

Tiny flies Powerful tools! Drosophila Melanogaster Drosophila Genome II х Drosophila have one pair of sex chromosomes (XX and XY), and three pairs of autosomes (II, III, and IV). Drosophila have proven to be a powerful tool to elucidate complex neurogenetical interaction. The fruit fly model allows the scientist to easily manipulate and target genetic components using a simple genetic cross. The 14,000 genes of the Drosophila genome were completely sequenced in 2000. GAL4/UAS SYSTEM one of the most powerful tools for targeted gene expression Responder: UAS-targeted gene line Driver: GAL4-expressing line Genomic Targeted GAL4 (Tissue-specific) UAS (Gal4 binding sites) Promoter Sequence GAL4 Genomic Targeted GAL4 UAS Promoter Sequence GAL4/UAS systems allow researchers to selectively express genes in specific tissues! Drosophila Melanogaster as a model organism in Neuroscience GAL4/UAS system permits the visualization of neuronal morphology, connectivity, and activity. A plethora of Drosophila genetic tools are available to target, manipulate, and image specific neurons in the fly brain! Green Fluorescent RNAI LacZ reporter gene Protein (GFP) GAL4-driven GFP expression is an ideal tool to visualize the RNA interference (RNAI) technology allows researchers to knockdown specific genes to determine if they are necessary for a given process. The lacZ reporter gene can also help to identify genes that are expressed in specific tissue or cell types cell or tissue of interest. It can be used to study the distribution and morphology of the neuron. Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ): A model for studying synaptic development and function Nerves Muscles Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) refers to the synaptic connections between motor neurons and muscles Drosophila larvae NMJ are great tools to dissect the basic features of in Drosophila. Each muscle is innervated by one or more synaptic transmission and molecular mechanisms regulating the synaptic vesicle cycle. motor neurons. Functional assessment of the NMJ allows neuroscientists to study NMJ is not static, but continues to grow during development. The overall number of synapses at each NMJ is plastic through the fly's lifetime. the underlying mechanisms of motor neuron diseases and other neurological disorders like schizophrenia and epilepsy, which are caused by synaptic dysfunction. Motor Neuron Presynaptic Bouton Neuromuscular Junction Muscle Postsynaptic Terminal (Muscle) The combined use of these powerful genetic tools with a simple organism ensures that Drosophila Melanogaster will continue to help neuroscientists make key discoveries that will impact neuroscience and medicine for years to come! Resources: Bellen HJ, Tong C, Tsuda H. 100 years of Drosophila research and its impact on vertebrate neuroscience: a history lesson for the future. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2010 Jul;11(7):514-22. doi: 10.1038/nrn2839. Review. Lloyd TE, Taylor JP. Flightless flies: Drosophila models of neuromuscular disease. Ann NY Acad Sci. 2010 Jan;1184:e1-20. Review. Pulver SR, Berni J. The fundamentals of flying: simple and inexpensive strategies for employing Drosophila genetics in neuroscience teaching laboratories. JUndergrad Neurosci Educ. 2012 Fall;11(1):A139-48. Epub 2012 Oct15. Stephenson R. Drosophila melanogaster: a fly through its history and current use. JR Coll Physicians Edinb. 2013 Mar;43(1):70-5. doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2013.116. Illustration by Jooyeun Lee ........... .***.......

Tiny flies, powerful tools!

shared by J.L on Jun 12
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Drosophila have proven to be a powerful tool to elucidate complex neurogenetical interaction. The fruit fly model allows the scientists to easily manipulate and target genetic components using a simpl...

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