The Drosophila compound eye consists of 800 ommatidia, each of which contains two visual systems that perform different functions.
The specific aims of the proposed experiments are: (1) Investigate the direction and timing of the signal between R7 and R8 that determines which pair of rh is expressed in a given ommatidium (p vs. y); (2) Test the model that the Rhodopsins themselves are able to influence the fate of a photoreceptor and its brain projection, and are also involved in the communication between R7 and R8; (3) characterize and identify genes specific to each subtype of photoreceptors, using p- and y-specific cDNA libraries and differential display; (4) Design a dominant genetic screen to identify factors responsible for the precise p/y ratio, using a technique to identify p or y ommatidia in live flies with GFP; and pursue a recessive mosaic screen to identify functions necessary for proper rh expression and for the communication between R7 and R8. This work may lead to an understanding of how communication among sensory receptor cells, as well as between these cells and the brain structures, allows establishment of the correct connections during development for processing sensory information.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Eye Institute (NEI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01EY013012-04
Application #
6525143
Study Section
Human Embryology and Development Subcommittee 1 (HED)
Program Officer
Mariani, Andrew P
Project Start
1999-09-01
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2002-09-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$378,004
Indirect Cost
Name
New York University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
004514360
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10012
Minkina, Olga; Desplan, Claude (2018) Large-Scale CRISPR-Mediated Somatic Mutagenesis Identifies a Signaling Pathway that Guides Retinal Development. Neuron 98:1-3
Holguera, Isabel; Desplan, Claude (2018) Neuronal specification in space and time. Science 362:176-180
Rossi, Anthony M; Fernandes, Vilaiwan M; Desplan, Claude (2017) Timing temporal transitions during brain development. Curr Opin Neurobiol 42:84-92
Rossi, Anthony M; Desplan, Claude (2017) Asymmetric Notch Amplification to Secure Stem Cell Identity. Dev Cell 40:513-514
Wells, Brent S; Pistillo, Daniela; Barnhart, Erin et al. (2017) Parallel Activin and BMP signaling coordinates R7/R8 photoreceptor subtype pairing in the stochastic Drosophila retina. Elife 6:
Fernandes, Vilaiwan M; Chen, Zhenqing; Rossi, Anthony M et al. (2017) Glia relay differentiation cues to coordinate neuronal development in Drosophila. Science 357:886-891
Perry, Michael; Konstantinides, Nikos; Pinto-Teixeira, Filipe et al. (2017) Generation and Evolution of Neural Cell Types and Circuits: Insights from the Drosophila Visual System. Annu Rev Genet 51:501-527
Chen, Zhenqing; Del Valle Rodriguez, Alberto; Li, Xin et al. (2016) A Unique Class of Neural Progenitors in the Drosophila Optic Lobe Generates Both Migrating Neurons and Glia. Cell Rep 15:774-786
Pinto-Teixeira, Filipe; Konstantinides, Nikolaos; Desplan, Claude (2016) Programmed cell death acts at different stages of Drosophila neurodevelopment to shape the central nervous system. FEBS Lett 590:2435-2453
Courgeon, Maximilien; Konstantinides, Nikolaos; Desplan, Claude (2015) Cell competition: dying for communal interest. Curr Biol 25:R339-41

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