If sleep does not serve an absolutely vital function, then it is the biggest mistake the evolutionary process has ever made.
Allan Rechtschaffen
Our Research
The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has emerged as a powerful model organism for human-related processes and maladies. Using its unparalleled genetic toolbox, including the Split-GAL4 expression system, we are dissecting the processes of sleep, memory, and decision-making to unequivocally assign behavioral roles to small groups of neurons, and even single neurons. We are also investigating how these three processes are regulated and interact with one another.
Sleep
Answering the questions: What is sleep? Why do we sleep? How does sleep influence behavior?
Decision-making
Investigating the neuronal basis of behavioral choice with competing behaviors.
Memory
Probing the complex circuitry, interaction, and mechanisms of memory-related processes.
Leading the Way
Generating Specific Tools
Ascribing neuronal function to a specific behavior is a focus of our research. To do this, however, very specific tools are required so that the behavior can be unequivocally linked to a specific neuron or neuronal group. Unfortunately, many tools have expression outside neurons of interest, like the widely-used and so-called "dFB-specific" 23E10-GAL4 driver line. Our laboratory focuses on dissecting expression patterns into clean and specific tools, which in 2023 uncovered VNC-SP neurons contained within the 23E10-GAL4 expression pattern that are located in the ventral nerve cord (VNC) and strongly promote sleep upon activation. Our lab has also generated a dFB-specific line that can be used for dFB-related behavioral studies.
23E10-GAL4 driving the expression of GFP shows many non-dFB-derived neurons in the brain, in addition to neurons in the VNC, including the strongly sleep-promoting VNC-SP neurons.
Team
Our Team on The Forefront of Research
Under the guidance of Principal Investigator Stephane Dissel, PhD, our team consists of our lab technician Jen McEllin, PhD and post-doctoral research fellow Brandon Holder, PhD.
Additionally, we have a great group of undergraduate students aiding in a wide variety of tasks, including dissections, behavioral paradigm optimization, and behavioral experiments.
