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Neural mechanisms for decoding olfactory information in Drosophila

Award Number: R01DC018570
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2025

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Neural mechanisms for decoding olfactory information in Drosophila - Neural encoding, the process by which the brain converts sensory stimuli into patterns of electrical activity within neurons, is critical for sensation to guide action. Despite this importance, little is known about how neural codes are actually used – or “decoded” – by downstream networks in the brain. This gap is due to two basic challenges: (1) causally perturbing the code with spatiotemporal precision, and (2) measuring the resulting activity from identified postsynaptic target neurons. Here, we propose to overcome these challenges, by investigating how an olfactory neural code is decoded by its downstream network in a tractable experimental system: the fruit fly, Drosophila. We have developed new methods to “write” spike patterns into populations of central projection neurons with single cell-type resolution using 2-photon optogenetics, while recording from their postsynaptic target neurons, which we have recently identified. This enables direct causal control of precise spiking features of the olfactory neural population code. In Aim 1, we will control combinatorial patterns of spike rates and relative spike latencies in projection neurons with 2-photon optogenetics to determine how these patterns are decoded by downstream neurons. In Aim 2, we will combine 2-photon optogenetic stimulation with olfactory stimulation to examine how sensory adaptation changes the logic of decoding. In Aim 3, we will test how the downstream neurons are themselves flexibly decoded into hunger-dependent chemotaxis behavior. Together, these studies will reveal basic mechanisms by which the brain decodes its own neural code for olfaction. Although there are differences between flies and mammals, the basic logic of neural coding is remarkably conserved between invertebrates and vertebrates. These similarities suggest that discoveries made in the fruit fly will be relevant to the mechanisms of decoding in other animals. A more thorough understanding of the principles of neural decoding within the brain has the potential to transform the development of novel brain- machine interfaces that could improve the outcomes of patients with brain injuries.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $441,837 )
2025	2025	YALE UNIV	150 MUNSON ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	6	3/17/2025	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$441,837
2025	2025	YALE UNIV	150 MUNSON ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	002	6	6/11/2025	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$766
2025	2024	YALE UNIV	150 MUNSON ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	5	6/11/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$766
														Subtotal = $441,837

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $417,569 )
2024	2024	YALE UNIV	150 MUNSON ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	5	5/3/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$41,757
2024	2024	YALE UNIV	150 MUNSON ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	5	2/22/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$375,812
														Subtotal = $417,569

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $417,603 )
2023	2023	YALE UNIVERSITY	105 WALL ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	4	2/18/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$417,603
														Subtotal = $417,603

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $403,563 )
2022	2022	YALE UNIVERSITY	105 WALL ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	3	2/20/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$363,206
2022	2022	YALE UNIVERSITY	105 WALL ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	001	3	4/21/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$40,357
														Subtotal = $403,563

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $418,750 )
2021	2021	YALE UNIVERSITY	105 WALL ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	2	2/25/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$418,750
														Subtotal = $418,750

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $418,750 )
2020	2020	YALE UNIVERSITY	105 WALL ST	NEW HAVEN	CT	06511	SOUTH CENTRAL CT	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	2/27/2020	NEW	$418,750
														Subtotal = $418,750

Grand Total All Awards = $2,518,072

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Neural mechanisms for decoding olfactory information in Drosophila

Award Number: R01DC018570

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2025

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