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A central goal of neuroscience is to understand how neural circuits encode memory and guide behaviour. Studying simple, genetically tractable organisms, such as Drosophila melanogaster, can illuminate principles of neural circuit organization and function. Early genetic dissection of D. melanogaster olfactory memory focused on individual genes and molecules. These molecular tags subsequently revealed key neural circuits for memory. Recent advances in genetic technology have allowed us to manipulate and observe activity in these circuits, and even individual neurons, in live animals. The studies have transformed D. melanogaster from a useful organism for gene discovery to an ideal model to understand neural circuit function in memory.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/nrn2098

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Rev Neurosci

Publication Date

05/2007

Volume

8

Pages

341 - 354

Keywords

Animals, Drosophila, Genes, Insect, Memory, Nerve Net, Olfactory Pathways