Molecular Analysis of Visual Plasticity

描述（由申请人提供）：在不同的实验系统中，对经验依赖的行为可塑性进行了相当多的研究，但对这种可塑性如何发生在感觉信息的处理中，特别是和光和视觉方面，知之甚少。本研究的目的是利用黑腹果蝇的光致视觉反应，为研究经验依赖的可塑性建立一个新的范式。我们设计了一个分支迷宫装置，根据波长或光/暗偏好和光致行走行为对苍蝇进行分类。我们还开发了一种条件反射模式，可以产生强烈的光/暗偏好变化，这可以通过迷宫中的表现来精确测量。我们寻求支持，以进一步发展这种条件反射范式和行为分析，以确定记忆的阶段，以及这些阶段是如何通过条件反射方案的变化来调节的。我们将致力于定位那些功能被调节以产生可塑性的神经元。我们将建立一个自动化的训练和分析仪器，它将用于大规模搜索在这种形式的行为可塑性中起作用的基因。从长远来看，我们希望将这种方法发展成为行为可塑性研究的一个重要实验范式，作为正在进行的嗅觉行为可塑性研究的一个独特的平行研究，并为理解视觉系统功能的可塑性及其行为后果提供一个新的窗口。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): There has been considerable study of experience-dependent behavioral plasticity in different experimental systems, but little is known of how such plasticity occurs in the processing of sensory information, particularly with respect to light and vision. The objective of this proposal is to develop a new paradigm for the study of experience-dependent plasticity using the phototactic visual response of Drosophila melanogaster. We have devised a branching maze device that sorts flies according to wavelength or light/dark preference and phototactic walking behavior. We have also developed a conditioning paradigm that yields strong changes in light/dark preference, which can be precisely measured by performance in the maze. We seek support to further develop this conditioning paradigm and behavioral assay, to determine the phases of memory and how these are modulated by variation of the conditioning protocol. We will work towards localizing the neurons whose function is modulated to yield plasticity. We will construct an automated training and assay apparatus, which will be employed in a large-scale search for genes that play a role in this form of behavioral plasticity. In the longer term, we hope to develop this approach into an important experimental paradigm for the study of behavioral plasticity, to serve as a distinct parallel to ongoing work in olfactory behavioral plasticity, and to provide a new window on understanding the plasticity of visual system function and its behavioral consequences.