Optogenetic control of Drosophila neurons: a laboratory practical for undergraduates and outreach

Renault, Andrew D.

Abstract

Teaching aspects of neuroscience to large undergraduate classes can be difficult in terms of the cost of equipment involved such as microscopes and electrophysiology equipment, the time taken to master techniques such as dissection or intracellular recording, and ethical concerns when using vertebrates. Here, I describe a practical that uses behavioral readouts and optogenetics on Drosophila that can be implemented with minimal cost as well as reduced ethical concerns and uses mostly observational techniques. The practical can be used to teach aspects of genetics and the tools for manipulating neuronal activity for ascribing neuronal function. The practical can be customized to fit different undergraduate levels and learning objectives.

Citation

Renault, A. D. (in press). Optogenetic control of Drosophila neurons: a laboratory practical for undergraduates and outreach. Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education, https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00086-24

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 7, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Sep 3, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 25, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 27, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education
• Print ISSN: 1935-7877
• Electronic ISSN: 1935-7885
• Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jmbe.00086-24
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/39168723
• Publisher URL: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jmbe.00086-24