Motor control in the Drosophila larva
Lead Research Organisation:
University of St Andrews
Department Name: Psychology
Abstract
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People |
ORCID iD |
| Maarten Zwart (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | We are working on generating a comprehensive understanding of how a simple organism, the larva of the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster, generates movements. We have described the contractions in its muscles; identified some of the cells in its nervous system that induce these contractions; and have started to produce a computational model of the animal to explain how this soft-bodied animal operates. This collaboration with teams at two universities in Tokyo is set to deliver results of interest to neuroscientists, roboticist, and developmental biologists alike. |
| Exploitation Route | Our work investigates fundamental biological processes whose insights could be used to 1) determine how animals have evolved to interact with the world around them; 2) change robotic design in future projects; 3) investigate how nervous systems develop to produce the neural connections required to produce behaviour. |
| Sectors | Education Healthcare Other |
| Description | Motor control in the Drosophila larva |
| Organisation | University of Tokyo |
| Country | Japan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have engaged in research exchanges, which included training and data exchange. Our team have trained members of staff in particular research techniques. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They have provifed intellectual input and access to data. |
| Impact | Outputs: https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.83328 |
| Start Year | 2016 |