Genetic ablation and functional assessment of a target detector in an insect retina
Abstract
Flying insects are highly maneuverable, physiologically efficient, and have an unparalleled ability to detect and pursue other small fast-moving objects. The sensory systems found in insect eyes display a diverse range of physical properties and varied underlying organization across species, helping them meet differing functional requirements. Classic work in the field of neuroethology combined with recent studies using modern molecular and genetic tools has uncovered novel distributions of detectors as well as highly specialized subregions of the eye in different species. An example of one such feature is the small motion target detector or SMTD. In the late 1970s and early 1980s such features were studied extensively, with work focusing on the retina of male houseflies (Musca domestica) as a study system. Males use a specialized dorso-frontal region of the eye to enable improved target detection at a distance, aerial pursuit, and capture behaviors during mating. My lab has used a combination of genomic and genetic tools to identify the genes and gene regulatory interactions that control production of the Musca SMTD. We now propose to use CRISPR-Cas9 to genetically ablate this gene regulatory circuit in order to remove the specialized target detector from the male retina while leaving downstream neural circuits and decision-making intact. This will allow us to characterize functional contributions of this improved sensor. We will assess target detection performance of male vs. female vs. genetically modified house fly lines using a virtual reality behavior arena as well as evaluate pursuit performance in free flight. The genetic ablation approach proposed will provide a novel method for the experimental characterization of specialized visual system features in a highly controlled manner. Ultimately, this work will provide insight into evolved systems that will be useful for the design of engineered sensors and circuits for target detection, tracking, and guidance that are as simple and efficient as the insect visual systems that inspired them.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310530
Entities
People
- Michael Perry
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of California, San Diego