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Dr. Nicholas Wright
The Evolution of Techniques to Study Drosophila Neurons
Involved in Olfactory Learning and Memory |
| This talk summarizes the evolution of the techniques developed to investigate the
physiology of the central neurons involved in associative olfactory learning and memory in the model organism
Drosophila melanogaster. This organism is very amenable to genetic manipulation and can demonstrate simple
learning and subsequent memory formation. Different phases of memory can be demonstrated and disrupted by
mutants, some defined to a single biochemical lesion, specifically localized to central brain structures known
as the Mushroom Bodies (MBs). The talk covers the first whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from identified MB
neurons in culture, development of the intact "dry-fly" preparation which allows the application of a
physiological stimulus, an odor, and the latest technique which allows direct pharmacological and physiological
manipulation of the MBs (the "wet-fly"). |
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Dr. Nicholas Wright is Assistant Professor of Biology at Eastern New Mexico University. He received his
Ph.D. in Neurophysiology from the University of Southampton, England, in 1990. |
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