2025
New tsetse (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) genomes generated from wild and laboratory‐reared specimens
Bruzzese D, Weiss B, Echodu R, Mireji P, Abd‐Alla A, Aksoy S. New tsetse (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) genomes generated from wild and laboratory‐reared specimens. Insect Science 2025 PMID: 40509668, DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.70085.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHigh-quality genomesVectors of African trypanosomesSingle-copy homologsPopulation-level variationBUSCO scoreUnique orthologsAssembled genomeAnimal African trypanosomiasesGenetic diversityNatural wild populationsNanopore sequencingGenomeWild populationsLong-term captivityAfrican trypanosomesLaboratory linesGlossina fuscipes fuscipesGeographical originOrthologsLaboratory-reared specimensQV scoreVector biologyCentral African RepublicNorthwestern UgandaFliesGlial cells diverge in fly brain evolution
Jiao Y, Sorrells T. Glial cells diverge in fly brain evolution. PLOS Biology 2025, 23: e3003136. PMID: 40305742, PMCID: PMC12043326, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003136.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Lifecycle of Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae) Sand Fly in a Newly Developed Colony in Bangladesh.
Ghosh D, Sagar S, Molina R, Alim A, Chowdhury R, Alam M, Alvar J, Mondal D. The Lifecycle of Phlebotomus argentipes (Diptera: Psychodidae) Sand Fly in a Newly Developed Colony in Bangladesh. American Journal Of Tropical Medicine And Hygiene 2025, 112: 1201-1206. PMID: 40168975, PMCID: PMC12139556, DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0683.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSand fliesVectors of Leishmania parasitesLaboratory-reared sand fliesInsecticide resistance monitoringP. argentipesAdult sand fliesSand fly coloniesExperimental infectionFly coloniesColonized sand fliesPupa stageBlood mealLeishmania parasitesPhlebotomus argentipesResistance monitoringIncubation periodLeishmaniasis researchEggsPupaeSandFliesMultiple generationsControlled laboratory environmentXenodiagnosesInsecticides
2024
A model of proximate protection against pathogenic infection through shared immunity
Nixon D, Kyza-Karavioti M, Mallick S, Daley L, Hupert N, Bachtel N, Eleftherianos I. A model of proximate protection against pathogenic infection through shared immunity. MBio 2024, 15: e03046-24. PMID: 39526781, PMCID: PMC11633142, DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03046-24.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDrosophila melanogaster</i>Host immune defenseTransforming biomedical researchMicrobial signalsPathogen infectionPathogen challengeAdult fliesImmunological primingInsect pathogensImmune defenseInfected hostsInnate immune primingImmune primingHostPathogensInfluence immunityBiomedical researchHealthy individualsFliesPrimed hostsProtective effectLethal doseImmunityBacteriaSpecific chemicalsFunction and evolution of Ir52 receptors in mate detection in Drosophila
Luo Y, Talross G, Carlson J. Function and evolution of Ir52 receptors in mate detection in Drosophila. Current Biology 2024, 34: 5395-5408.e6. PMID: 39471807, PMCID: PMC11614688, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.10.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMating partnersCluster of genesPotential mating partnersSexually dimorphic neuronsCourtship behaviorEvolutionary timeMate detectionExpression systemFly legFruit flyFly speciesSpeciesBiological problemsTaste neuronsMatingPheromone extractsFliesReceptorsDrosophilaCourtshipGenesNeuronsPheromoneCircuit mappingExpressionNeuronal parts list and wiring diagram for a visual system
Matsliah A, Yu S, Kruk K, Bland D, Burke A, Gager J, Hebditch J, Silverman B, Willie K, Willie R, Sorek M, Sterling A, Kind E, Garner D, Sancer G, Wernet M, Kim S, Murthy M, Seung H. Neuronal parts list and wiring diagram for a visual system. Nature 2024, 634: 166-180. PMID: 39358525, PMCID: PMC11446827, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07981-1.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
A complete reconstruction of the early visual system of an adult insect
Chua N, Makarova A, Gunn P, Villani S, Cohen B, Thasin M, Wu J, Shefter D, Pang S, Xu C, Hess H, Polilov A, Chklovskii D. A complete reconstruction of the early visual system of an adult insect. Current Biology 2023, 33: 4611-4623.e4. PMID: 37774707, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDirect comparison reveals algorithmic similarities in fly and mouse visual motion detection
Chen J, Gish C, Fransen J, Salazar-Gatzimas E, Clark D, Borghuis B. Direct comparison reveals algorithmic similarities in fly and mouse visual motion detection. IScience 2023, 26: 107928. PMID: 37810236, PMCID: PMC10550730, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107928.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMolecular mechanismsStarburst amacrine cellsSpatiotemporal receptive-field structureReceptive field structureAmacrine cellsT4 neuronsSpeciesNeuronal morphologyNeuron typesAnalogous neuronsNeural circuitsVisual motion detectionCellsVisual motionMotion stimuliVertebratesInvertebratesMiceMotion processingNeuronsSimilarityApparent motion stimuliFliesExploring therapeutic strategies for infantile neuronal axonal dystrophy (INAD/PARK14)
Lin G, Tepe B, McGrane G, Tipon R, Croft G, Panwala L, Hope A, Liang A, Zuo Z, Byeon S, Wang L, Pandey A, Bellen H. Exploring therapeutic strategies for infantile neuronal axonal dystrophy (INAD/PARK14). ELife 2023, 12: e82555. PMID: 36645408, PMCID: PMC9889087, DOI: 10.7554/elife.82555.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPatient-derived neural progenitor cellsNeural progenitor cellsPatient-derived neuronsPediatric neurodegenerative disorderRetromer functionMitochondrial morphologyEndolysosomal pathwayMitochondrial defectsProlong lifespanNeurodegenerative phenotypeProgenitor cellsMouse modelRecessive variantsNeurodegenerative disordersGene therapy approachesPathwayInfantile neuroaxonal dystrophyHomologCellsTherapeutic strategiesAzoramidePurkinje cellsFliesPhenotypeMetabolism
2022
Microbe Profile: Wigglesworthia glossinidia: the tsetse fly’s significant other
Weiss BL, Rio RVM, Aksoy S. Microbe Profile: Wigglesworthia glossinidia: the tsetse fly’s significant other. Microbiology 2022, 168: 001242. PMID: 36129743, PMCID: PMC10723186, DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001242.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhysiological homeostasisNutritional roleEssential nutritional roleUnique physiological adaptationsTsetse fliesFly microbiotaWigglesworthia glossinidiaObligate mutualistsHost fitnessAncient associationParasitic trypanosomesLarval periodPhysiological adaptationsFitness outcomesTsetse's abilityAntimicrobial responsesImmune systemAmidasesFliesMicrobiotaMutualistsWigglesworthiaEndosymbiontsGenomeB vitaminsMeeting a threat of the Anthropocene: Taste avoidance of metal ions by Drosophila
Xiao S, Baik LS, Shang X, Carlson JR. Meeting a threat of the Anthropocene: Taste avoidance of metal ions by Drosophila. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2022, 119: e2204238119. PMID: 35700364, PMCID: PMC9231609, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204238119.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenerations of exposureDipteran speciesAnthropogenic stressorsGR familyEnvironmental changesToxic chemical compoundsBitter-sensing neuronsTaste organsTaste receptorsAvoidance of feedingSugar-sensing neuronsElevated concentrationsZinc ionsDrosophilaChemical compoundsInsectsHuman activitiesBehavioral responsesReceptorsOrganismsFliesSpeciesNeuronsRapid rateDifferent subsetsMetabolic interactions between disease-transmitting vectors and their microbiota
Song X, Zhong Z, Gao L, Weiss BL, Wang J. Metabolic interactions between disease-transmitting vectors and their microbiota. Trends In Parasitology 2022, 38: 697-708. PMID: 35643853, DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.05.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDisease-transmitting vectorsSymbiotic microbesPathogen defenseHost biologyHematophagous arthropodsBacterial metabolic activitySand fliesArthropod vectorsImportant vectorAnimals/humansMetabolic interactionsEndogenous microbiotaTsetse fliesFliesRecent discoveryVector-borne diseasesBiologyMetabolic activityMosquitoesMicrobiotaDifferent arthropod vectorsArthropodsMicrobesOrganismsTicksParallel locomotor control strategies in mice and flies
Gonçalves AI, Zavatone-Veth JA, Carey MR, Clark DA. Parallel locomotor control strategies in mice and flies. Current Opinion In Neurobiology 2022, 73: 102516. PMID: 35158168, PMCID: PMC12103226, DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.01.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTsetse Flies (Glossinidae)
Benoit J, Attardo G, Weiss B. Tsetse Flies (Glossinidae). 2022, 837-851. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-818731-9.00004-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTsetse fliesUnique reproductive biologyPathogenic African trypanosomesFly biologyReproductive biologyVertebrate bloodEcological distributionEvolutionary adaptationInsect pestsLow fecundityPopulation suppressionAfrican trypanosomesUnique biologyHost locationFliesProgeny developmentBiologyPhysiological aspectsMulti-targeted strategiesAfrican trypanosomiasisHuman healthPestsFecundityTrypanosomesHigh investment
2021
A machine learning approach to integrating genetic and ecological data in tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes) for spatially explicit vector control planning
Bishop AP, Amatulli G, Hyseni C, Pless E, Bateta R, Okeyo WA, Mireji PO, Okoth S, Malele I, Murilla G, Aksoy S, Caccone A, Saarman NP. A machine learning approach to integrating genetic and ecological data in tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes) for spatially explicit vector control planning. Evolutionary Applications 2021, 14: 1762-1777. PMID: 34295362, PMCID: PMC8288027, DOI: 10.1111/eva.13237.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGenetic dataVectors of humanLake Victoria basinAnimal African trypanosomiasisGenetic connectivityVector-borne disease transmissionFuture monitoring effortsMicrosatellite lociHabitat useImportant environmental predictorsHabitat suitabilityFuture climatic changesDispersal patternsVictoria basinEcological dataEnvironmental predictorsVector systemTsetse fliesTsetse speciesClimatic shiftsFliesClimatic changesSampling sitesMonitoring effortsVector controlSight of parasitoid wasps accelerates sexual behavior and upregulates a micropeptide gene in Drosophila
Ebrahim SAM, Talross GJS, Carlson JR. Sight of parasitoid wasps accelerates sexual behavior and upregulates a micropeptide gene in Drosophila. Nature Communications 2021, 12: 2453. PMID: 33907186, PMCID: PMC8079388, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22712-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptation, PhysiologicalAnimalsAnimals, Genetically Modifiedbeta-Carotene 15,15'-MonooxygenaseCarnivoryDrosophilaDrosophila melanogasterDrosophila ProteinsDrosophila simulansFemaleFertilityGene Expression RegulationMaleNeuronsPattern Recognition, VisualReceptors, Ionotropic GlutamateReceptors, OdorantSexual Behavior, AnimalWaspsConceptsWasp speciesParasitoid waspsParasitoid wasp speciesInsect speciesAdult DrosophilaInsect worldMating behaviorMutational analysisGene expressionFemale fliesWaspsGenesDrosophilaSpeciesFliesDramatic upregulationDefensive responsesWidespread deathVisual circuitsInsectsMicropeptidesBehavioral responsesNervous systemHundreds of thousandsUnexpected responsesSystematic functional analysis of Rab GTPases reveals limits of neuronal robustness to environmental challenges in flies
Kohrs F, Daumann I, Pavlovic B, Jin E, Kiral F, Lin S, Port F, Wolfenberg H, Mathejczyk T, Linneweber G, Chan C, Boutros M, Hiesinger P. Systematic functional analysis of Rab GTPases reveals limits of neuronal robustness to environmental challenges in flies. ELife 2021, 10: e59594. PMID: 33666175, PMCID: PMC8016483, DOI: 10.7554/elife.59594.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRab GTPasesMembrane traffickingSystematic functional analysisObvious morphological defectsAutophagy-independent roleMutant collectionNull mutantsFertile fliesMaintenance defectsGTPasesNeuronal robustnessFunctional analysisMolecular switchMorphological defectsUnknown functionHalf exhibitMutantsFliesNeuronal functionGenesTraffickingEnvironmental challengesRabRab26Nervous system
2020
BICRA, a SWI/SNF Complex Member, Is Associated with BAF-Disorder Related Phenotypes in Humans and Model Organisms
Barish S, Barakat T, Michel B, Mashtalir N, Phillips J, Valencia A, Ugur B, Wegner J, Scott T, Bostwick B, Network U, Murdock D, Dai H, Perenthaler E, Nikoncuk A, van Slegtenhorst M, Brooks A, Keren B, Nava C, Mignot C, Douglas J, Rodan L, Nowak C, Ellard S, Stals K, Lynch S, Faoucher M, Lesca G, Edery P, Engleman K, Zhou D, Thiffault I, Herriges J, Gass J, Louie R, Stolerman E, Washington C, Vetrini F, Otsubo A, Pratt V, Conboy E, Treat K, Shannon N, Camacho J, Wakeling E, Yuan B, Chen C, Rosenfeld J, Westerfield M, Wangler M, Yamamoto S, Kadoch C, Scott D, Bellen H. BICRA, a SWI/SNF Complex Member, Is Associated with BAF-Disorder Related Phenotypes in Humans and Model Organisms. American Journal Of Human Genetics 2020, 107: 1096-1112. PMID: 33232675, PMCID: PMC7820627, DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.11.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAnimalsChildChild, PreschoolChromosomal Proteins, Non-HistoneDevelopmental DisabilitiesDrosophila melanogasterDrosophila ProteinsFemaleGenes, DominantGenetic VariationHaploinsufficiencyHumansInfantMaleMicroscopy, ConfocalMutation, MissenseNeurogliaNeuronsPhenotypeProtein BindingTumor Suppressor ProteinsZebrafishZebrafish ProteinsConceptsSWI/SNF complex membersComplex membersSWI/SNF familyPosition-effect variegationIntellectual disability disordersContext-specific mannerNcBAF complexesDrosophila orthologDominant enhancersBAF complexModel organismsFunctional characterizationDisability disordersCraniofacial defectsNeurodevelopmental phenotypesOrthologsRelated phenotypesPhenotypeFunction variantsRare neurodevelopmental disorderGenesRare variantsFliesPathogenic variantsNeurodevelopmental disordersA connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain
Scheffer LK, Xu CS, Januszewski M, Lu Z, Takemura SY, Hayworth KJ, Huang GB, Shinomiya K, Maitlin-Shepard J, Berg S, Clements J, Hubbard PM, Katz WT, Umayam L, Zhao T, Ackerman D, Blakely T, Bogovic J, Dolafi T, Kainmueller D, Kawase T, Khairy KA, Leavitt L, Li PH, Lindsey L, Neubarth N, Olbris DJ, Otsuna H, Trautman ET, Ito M, Bates AS, Goldammer J, Wolff T, Svirskas R, Schlegel P, Neace E, Knecht CJ, Alvarado CX, Bailey DA, Ballinger S, Borycz JA, Canino BS, Cheatham N, Cook M, Dreher M, Duclos O, Eubanks B, Fairbanks K, Finley S, Forknall N, Francis A, Hopkins GP, Joyce EM, Kim S, Kirk NA, Kovalyak J, Lauchie S, Lohff A, Maldonado C, Manley EA, McLin S, Mooney C, Ndama M, Ogundeyi O, Okeoma N, Ordish C, Padilla N, Patrick CM, Paterson T, Phillips EE, Phillips EM, Rampally N, Ribeiro C, Robertson MK, Rymer JT, Ryan SM, Sammons M, Scott AK, Scott AL, Shinomiya A, Smith C, Smith K, Smith NL, Sobeski MA, Suleiman A, Swift J, Takemura S, Talebi I, Tarnogorska D, Tenshaw E, Tokhi T, Walsh JJ, Yang T, Horne JA, Li F, Parekh R, Rivlin PK, Jayaraman V, Costa M, Jefferis GS, Ito K, Saalfeld S, George R, Meinertzhagen I, Rubin GM, Hess HF, Jain V, Plaza SM. A connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain. ELife 2020, 9: e57443. PMID: 32880371, PMCID: PMC7546738, DOI: 10.7554/elife.57443.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCentral brainDrosophila central brainAdult Drosophila Central BrainGenetic reagentsFruit flyComputational compartmentsFly brainExhaustive atlasCell typesAnimal behaviorNeural motifsChemical synapsesDrosophilaSuch large data setsNeural circuitsFliesCompartmentalizationLarge fractionMotifSynapsesCell exampleCompartmentsNeuronsElectrical consequencesMechanism for analogous illusory motion perception in flies and humans
Agrochao M, Tanaka R, Salazar-Gatzimas E, Clark DA. Mechanism for analogous illusory motion perception in flies and humans. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2020, 117: 23044-23053. PMID: 32839324, PMCID: PMC7502748, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002937117.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
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