Processing in the Insect Brain Leading to Context Dependent Turning

这个项目将研究组成昆虫大脑中一个独特区域的神经回路，称为中央复合体，并将研究它在引导昆虫绕过障碍物移动时所起的作用。这个巨大的大脑中线区域似乎参与了处理大量感觉信息，然后用它来影响运动。Ritzmann实验室将使用一系列电生理和行为技术来检查中央复杂电路如何处理来自天线和眼睛的机械和视觉信息，并识别执行这些功能的神经元。然后，中央复合体的区域将被局麻药可逆地失活，以检查它们对行为的影响。这一结果对于我们理解大脑系统如何影响复杂的运动至关重要。它们将补充来自其他几个实验室的神经遗传学技术在运动控制方面的最新进展。事实上，由于高级大脑系统和局部反射之间的类似相互作用几乎存在于所有腿部动物中，包括脊椎动物，结果将产生广泛的神经生物学影响。此外，PI还长期致力于将生物系统知识带到腿部机器人的设计中。因此，该项目还应该带来更先进的机器人，它们可以在曲折的地形上自主移动，而不需要司机的指导。该项目将延续皮？S成功培养研究生和本科生的记录，并将这一机会扩大到预科学生。本科生和预科学生将有机会在Ritzmann博士的直接指导下直接与研究生和其他高级实验室人员一起研究该项目。这一安排为新手提供了一个独特的机会来体验研究，同时为高级人员提供指导经验。

This project will examine neural circuits that make up a unique region of the insect brain, called the central complex, and will study its role in guiding the insect as it turns to move around barriers. This large midline brain region appears to be involved in processing large amounts of sensory information, then using it to influence movement. The Ritzmann laboratory will employ a range of electrophysiological and behavioral techniques to examine how central complex circuits process mechanical and visual information from antennae and eyes and to identify the neurons that perform these functions. Regions of the central complex will then be reversibly inactivated with local anesthetics to examine their effects on behavior. The results are critical to our understanding of how brain systems influence complex movements. They will complement recent advances in motor control stemming from neurogenetic techniques from several other laboratories. Indeed, because similar interactions between higher brain systems and local reflexes exist in virtually all legged animals, including vertebrates, the results will have wide ranging neurobiological impact. Moreover, the PI has a long-term commitment to bringing knowledge of biological systems to the design of legged robots. As such, the project should also lead to more advanced robots that can move autonomously through tortuous terrain with less direction from a driver. The project will continue the PI?s successful record of training both graduate and undergraduate students and extend this opportunity to pre-college students. Undergraduate and pre-college students will have the opportunity to work directly with graduate students and other senior laboratory personnel on the project under the direct guidance of Dr. Ritzmann. This arrangement generates a unique opportunity for novices to experience research while providing mentorship experience for the senior personnel.