Neural Mechanisms of Behavioural Control (360G-Wellcome-200846_Z_16_Z)

£3,175,224

Appropriate behaviour arises from neural integration of sensory stimuli, memory of prior experience and internal states. We use genetics and the relatively small brain of Drosophila to identify conserved neural mechanisms that provide behavioural control. Recent studies located anatomically distinct synaptic junctions within the fly brain where hunger-dependent sugar memories or thirst dependent water-memories are formed by the action of distinct dopaminergic neurons. These reward-specific memories only guide behaviour when the flies are subsequently deprived of food, or water. Dopaminergic neurons also control state-dependent memory expression. We will exploit this unique cellular resolution to investigate and visualize memory formation, retrieval and extinction, and to determine how similar synaptic mechanisms allow an animal to prioritize a particular behavior over another. It is relatively easy to alter the average behaviour of a population of flies. However, considerable variance is apparent at the level of individuals. Our discovery of transposable element mobilization in the fly brain provides a plausible contributing factor to individuality. Similar LINE-1 activity in mammals suggests that transposon-generated genomic heterogeneity is a conserved feature of the brain. We will investigate neural transposition and whether it impacts the circuitry of learning and motivational control.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 3175224
Applicant Surname Waddell
Approval Committee Science Interview Panel
Award Date 2016-04-05T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2015/16
Grant Programme: Title Principal Research Fellowship (New)
Internal ID 200846/Z/16/Z
Lead Applicant Prof Scott Waddell
Partnership Value 3175224
Planned Dates: End Date 2022-10-31T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2016-11-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region South East
Sponsor(s) Prof Peter Robbins