Project description:The Drosophila ventral nerve cord (VNC) receives and processes descending signals from the brain to produce a variety of coordinated locomotor outputs. It also integrates sensory information from the periphery and sends ascending signals to the brain. We used single-cell transcriptomics to generate an unbiased classification of cellular diversity in the VNC of five-day old adult flies. We produced an atlas of 26,000 high-quality cells, representing more than 100 transcriptionally distinct cell types. The predominant gene signatures defining neuronal cell types reflect shared developmental histories based on the neuroblast from which cells were derived, as well as their birth order. Cells could also be assigned to specific neuromeres using adult Hox gene expression. This single-cell transcriptional atlas of the adult fly VNC will be a valuable resource for future studies of neurodevelopment and behavior.
Project description:Drosophila larval ventral nerve cord (VNC) shares many similarities with the spinal cord of vertebrates and has emerged as a major model for understanding the development and function of motor systems. We use high quality single cell RNA sequencing to create a comprehensive atlas of larval VNC cell types. Our atlas provides a high-resolution characterization of larval VNC capturing primary neurons, glia and the functional landscape that coordinates larval behavior. At the same time, this atlas offers unique insights into neurogenesis and into the strategies and signaling networks utilized for generation of the adult VNC.
Project description:Sleep disruptions are among the most commonly-reported symptoms across neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), but mechanisms linking brain development to normal sleep are largely unknown. From a Drosophila screen of human NDD-associated risk genes, we identified the chromatin remodeler Imitation SWItch/SNF (ISWI) to be required for adult fly sleep. To better understand the mechanisms by which ISWI regulates sleep, we performed RNA-Seq analysis on mid-3rd instar larval central nervous systems (central brain + ventral nerve cord) in the setting of pan-neuronal ISWI knockdown (elav-GAL4>UAS-ISWI RNAi) compared to controls (elav-GAL4;+). We chose mid-3rd instar because temporal mapping revealed ISWI knockdown during this pre-adult developmental stage led to adult fly sleep deficits.
Project description:Genes are up and down regualted in DRG and spinal dorsal cord after peripheral nerve injury WT male adult with sciatic and femoral nerve transection 7 days, RNA was purified from ipilateral or contralateral L4-L6 DRGs or lumbar spinal dorsal cords
Project description:As rats do not develop neuropathic pain like hypersensitivity as neonates post nerve injury but do as adults we have used these arrays to help define the processes involved in this process. Rat spinal cord (ipsilateral dorsal horn) was assayed 7 days post SNI injury to the sciatic nerve relative to sham injury. Two age groups of animals were tested Neonates (P10) and Adult (8-12wks). Experiment Overall Design: Six biologically indepenedent arrays were hybridized per assay point. Dorsal horn total RNA was prepared using standard Affymetrix protocols. Affymetrix Rat Expression 230A array used.
Project description:As rats do not develop neuropathic pain like hypersensitivity as neonates post nerve injury but do as adults we have used these arrays to help define the processes involved in this process. Rat spinal cord (ipsilateral dorsal horn) was assayed 7 days post SNI injury to the sciatic nerve relative to sham injury. Two age groups of animals were tested Neonates (P10) and Adult (8-12wks). Keywords: Two way analysis of differential regulation