Barry Dickson (Scientific Director, Senior Scientist)
Neural circuits
We are using molecular genetic techniques to study the function of neural circuits in Drosophila. We want to understand how the brain works. How does information processing in neural circuits generate complex animal behaviour? As a model system, we focus on the fly’s mating behaviours. These behaviours are robust, adaptive, and particularly amenable to genetic analysis.
Schnorrer, F., Schönbauer, C., Langer, CC., Dietzl, G., Novatchkova, M., Schernhuber, K., Fellner, M., Azaryan, A., Radolf, M., Stark, A., Keleman, K., Dickson, BJ. (2010). Systematic genetic analysis of muscle morphogenesis and function in Drosophila.
Nature. 464(7286):287-91
(abstract)
Spitzweck, B., Brankatschk, M., Dickson, BJ. (2010). Distinct protein domains and expression patterns confer divergent axon guidance functions for Drosophila Robo receptors.
Cell. 140(3):409-20
(abstract)
2009
Häsemeyer, M., Yapici, N., Heberlein, U., Dickson, BJ. (2009). Sensory neurons in the Drosophila genital tract regulate female reproductive behavior.
Neuron. 61(4):511-8
(abstract)
2008
Dickson, BJ. (2008). Wired for sex: the neurobiology of Drosophila mating decisions.
Science. 322(5903):904-9
(abstract)
Yapici, N., Kim, YJ., Ribeiro, C., Dickson, BJ. (2008). A receptor that mediates the post-mating switch in Drosophila reproductive behaviour.
Nature. 451(7174):33-7
(abstract)
