Ongoing Projects
Ongoing Projects
Post-ingestive food perception
Post-ingestive food perception
We want to probe mechanisms of post-ingestive perception of sugars and bitter compounds in the gut. Typically, this would need complete genetic ablation of peripheral and pharyngeal taste perception in flies. We have bypassed such a requirement by feeding flies sugars/bitters encapsulated in nanoparticles. These carriers are designed to release nutrient cargo only in the midgut.
We want to probe mechanisms of post-ingestive perception of sugars and bitter compounds in the gut. Typically, this would need complete genetic ablation of peripheral and pharyngeal taste perception in flies. We have bypassed such a requirement by feeding flies sugars/bitters encapsulated in nanoparticles. These carriers are designed to release nutrient cargo only in the midgut.
Nutrient-specific memory circuits
Nutrient-specific memory circuits
Animals are able to approach food sources that redress their current nutrient need. This is possible because specific nutrient qualities of food sources are committed to memory. Flies have been shown to express sugar and water-specific memories. We would like to know how other nutrients are encoded in the memory circuitry of the fly brain.
Animals are able to approach food sources that redress their current nutrient need. This is possible because specific nutrient qualities of food sources are committed to memory. Flies have been shown to express sugar and water-specific memories. We would like to know how other nutrients are encoded in the memory circuitry of the fly brain.
Neural circuitry of emetic behaviour
Neural circuitry of emetic behaviour
We observed that flies show emesis upon ingestion of toxins. Our results show that neurotransmitters involved in emesis are conserved between flies and mammals. Since rodents do not show emesis, this is the first genetic model of emesis. Using fly genetics, we are uncovering the neural circuitry regulating emesis.
We observed that flies show emesis upon ingestion of toxins. Our results show that neurotransmitters involved in emesis are conserved between flies and mammals. Since rodents do not show emesis, this is the first genetic model of emesis. Using fly genetics, we are uncovering the neural circuitry regulating emesis.
Neural mechanisms of feeding alteration on high-calorie diets
Neural mechanisms of feeding alteration on high-calorie diets
We are studying how chronic high-fat or high-sugar diets alter the fly brain and influence feeding choices. We have developed a novel feeding assay that allows us to quantify feeding over days in flies that have ad libitum access to one diet or a choice between two different diets.
We are studying how chronic high-fat or high-sugar diets alter the fly brain and influence feeding choices. We have developed a novel feeding assay that allows us to quantify feeding over days in flies that have ad libitum access to one diet or a choice between two different diets.
Function of immune immune response genes in the brain: Regulators of stress response?
Function of immune immune response genes in the brain: Regulators of stress response?
We have screened for the function of innate immune pathway (Toll and Imd) genes in the fly brain. We have found that a certain toll receptor seems to play a role in regulating starvation resistance in flies. This role is restricted to relatively few neurons in the nervous system. We are following up.
We have screened for the function of innate immune pathway (Toll and Imd) genes in the fly brain. We have found that a certain toll receptor seems to play a role in regulating starvation resistance in flies. This role is restricted to relatively few neurons in the nervous system. We are following up.