Drosophila Neurobiology: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition - Paperback

by Bing Zhang (Author), Eizabeth Heckscher (Author), Alex Keene (Author)

Research on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has played an important role in uncovering principles of nervous system structure and function. Fundamental insights include the first molecular descriptions of nervous system differentiation, the identification and elucidation of axon guidance cues, the first cloning of ion channels, the first demonstration that SNARE proteins are required for chemical neurotransmission, and the identification of single genes that regulate complex behavior. Early Drosophila neuroscience experiments used random mutagenesis to evaluate the genetic basis of complex traits. More recently, a rapidly expanding and more sophisticated genetic toolkit is readily available for precise genome modifications, and these approaches are complemented by protocols for studying neural function and behavior. Together, these methodologies have enabled and continue to drive significant progress in the field, from work investigating the earliest stages of nervous system development to the study of complex behaviors, including drug addiction and decision-making.