37th Annual Student Research Conference
Exploring the Role of Glia in Drosophila Negative Geotaxis
Skylar K. Gaw
Dr. Brett A. Berke, Faculty Mentor
In fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), glia support development and protect neurons, outnumbering them by several orders of magnitude. Geotaxis allows organisms to determine their orientation relative to gravity; positive geotactic animals go with gravity and negative geotactic animals, like Drosophila, move against it. Some structures and neurons, including those of the Johnston’s organ located in the antenna, contribute to negative geotaxis. Glial cells, however, have not been studied for a role in negative geotaxis. I have used Drosophila genetics the role of glia in negative geotaxis by altering glial physiology in two ways: blocking the release of neurotransmitters and other molecules, and altering membrane ion channel expression. These alterations were made to all glia or to glia that wrap axons through the expression of transgenes. Results from this project will serve as the foundation for further studies into how glia influence the development and function of circuitry for negative geotaxis.
Keywords:
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Session: 405-3
Location: MG 2001
Time: 2:30