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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 15: Posters: Systems biology and neurosciences

BP 15.3: Poster

Tuesday, April 1, 2014, 09:30–12:30, P1

Biophysics of mechanosensation in the fruit fly Drosophila — •Achintya Prahlad¹, Christoph F. Schmidt¹, and Martin Göpfert² — ¹Third Institute of Physics - Biophysics, Georg-August University, Göttingen — ²Schwann-Schleiden Research Centre, Faculty of Biology, Georg-August University, Göttingen

The fruit fly Drosophila uses mechanosensation for several purposes. Much of the literature is on a class of organs called chordotonal organs, such as the auditory organ attached to the antennae, and the larval pentamere organ (or lch5). The sensory neurons at the core of these organs have one dendrite, which terminates in a cilium. The cilia are said to be the main transducers. The lch5 organ aids in locomotion by giving feedback to the central nervous system.

Molecular and anatomical aspects of these organs have been studied. Also, there have recently been some exciting discoveries about the mechanics of the external sound receiver. However, an understanding of the internal transduction mechanics and the manner in which membrane channels are activated upon deflection of the cilium is still elusive. Since the inner parts of the antenna organ of an adult fly are difficult to access in a functional state and since flies don't survive under water, we are using a preparation of larvae under buffer solution that allows us to directly access the sensory neurons of the lch5. Our approach is to then use optically-trapped beads to give stimuli to the cilia, and couple that with calcium imaging in the cells.