Imaging mRNA localisation in memory-relevant neurons of the Drosophila brain
Pizza will be provided
Memories are encoded in Drosophila as dopamine driven changes in the efficacy of synaptic connections between Mushroom Body Kenyon Cells and Mushroom Body Output Neurons (MBONs). Evidence from flies and mammals suggests that some learning-relevant synaptic plasticity requires local translation of new proteins within specific neuronal processes. Neurons therefore have to deliver the relevant mRNAs to these neuronal compartments as a means of spatially and temporally regulating protein synthesis. We used single molecule fluorescent in situ hybridisation (smFISH) and the MS2 system to image mRNA localisation in the adult Drosophila brain, before and after learning. smFISH allowed us to visualise learning induced increases in CaMKII mRNA within the dendritic compartments of specific MBONs following aversive olfactory conditioning. We are now using the MS2 system to live-track mRNA transcripts in memory-relevant neurons of head-fixed flies, after learning. These developments enable the visualisation of molecular correlates of plasticity, and therefore extend the analysis of memory in Drosophila beyond measuring changes in odour-evoked neural activity.
Date: 28 January 2020, 12:00 (Tuesday, 2nd week, Hilary 2020)
Venue: Sherrington Building, off Parks Road OX1 3PT
Venue Details: Sherrington Room, second floor Sherrington Building
Speaker: Dr Jessica Mitchell (University of Oxford)
Organisers: Raffaele Sarnataro, Cortex Club (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: raffaele.sarnataro@cncb.ox.ac.uk
Host: Raffaele Sarnataro
Part of: Cortex Club - Oxford Neuroscience Society
Topics:
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Public
Editors: Raffaele Sarnataro, Marta Blanco pozo, Ilenia Salaris