Drosophila Neurobiology

Drosophila neurobiology studies the nervous system of the fruit fly, a widely used model organism. Despite their small size, fruit flies share many fundamental neural features with humans, making them valuable for understanding brain function, development, and behavior. Their nervous system includes sensory neurons, a brain, and a ventral nerve cord, enabling behaviors like learning, memory, and movement. Researchers use Drosophila to explore genetic influences on neural processes, uncover mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, and identify potential therapeutic targets, all while benefiting from their short life cycle and genetic tractability.