Abigail Daniels
Garrity Laboratory
Department of Biology
Brandeis University
Neural Circuit Control of Acute Cold Tolerance
Poster Abstract
The ability to maintain homeostasis during thermal shifts is essential to all life. This is especially important for insects, due to their small size and inability to regulate their body temperature. A lot is known about long-term cold tolerance in insects, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying acute cold tolerance. We have identified a novel cold tolerance mechanism in Drosophila, in which the mushroom body mediates peptidergic signaling to regulate heart rate and rhythm during cold exposure. A direct physical and functional connection was shown between selected mushroom body output neurons (MBONs) and corazonin (CRZ) neurosecretory cells. This is a novel circuit that utilizes the mushroom body in non-traditional ways and reveals how MBONs are implicated in behavioral response.
Personal Statement
This summer, the M.R Bauer Fellowship gave me the opportunity to learn brain imaging techniques and Drosophila genetics. I became proficient with fly brain microdissections and multiple antibody staining protocols. In addition to the preparation steps for brain dissections, I have learned how to operate a scanning confocal microscope and have just started to take images independently. Additionally, with the guidance of my mentor, I learned the basics of Drosophila genetics and began a series of multi-step crosses to generate animals with complicated genetic backgrounds. This fellowship provided me with the time and opportunity to expand my practical knowledge of microscopy and genetics. Through these experiments, I can better understand how we can reliably manipulate these organisms and address a wide range of neurobiological problems. I grew as a scientist over the summer and have developed the skills to tackle more complex and interesting experiments.