Drosophila Neurobiology: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition

Research on the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has played an important role in uncovering principles of nervous system structure and function. Fundamental insights include the first molecular descriptions of nervous system differentiation, the identification and elucidation of axon guidance cues, the first cloning of ion channels, the first demonstration that SNARE proteins are required for chemical neurotransmission, and the identification of single genes that regulate complex behavior. Early Drosophila neuroscience experiments used random mutagenesis to evaluate the genetic basis of complex traits. More recently, a rapidly expanding and more sophisticated genetic toolkit is readily available for precise genome modifications, and these approaches are complemented by protocols for studying neural function and behavior. Together, these methodologies have enabled and continue to drive significant progress in the field, from work investigating the earliest stages of nervous system development to the study of complex behaviors, including drug addiction and decision-making.

This second edition of the laboratory manual covers a comprehensive collection of review articles and protocols in Drosophila neuroscience. The articles are divided into three sections: neural development, neurophysiology, and behavior. The chapters discuss classic approaches as well as newer genetic techniques and behavioral paradigms. The contents of this manual are largely derived from those taught at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory “Drosophila Neurobiology” course, and the protocols are designed to be highly accessible for researchers at all levels and with diverse expertise and backgrounds. The breadth of the manual makes it not only an invaluable reference for researchers that currently work with these organisms, but also an essential start-up guide for those seeking to use Drosophila in their research for the first time.