Identification and functional analysis of motion detection circuits

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24300120
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neuroscience in general
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Sato Makoto 金沢大学, 新学術創成研究機構, 教授 (30345235)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): Hasegawa Eri 金沢大学, 脳・肝インターフェースメディシン研究センター, 博士研究員 (50469607) ; Suzuki Takumi 金沢大学, 脳・肝インターフェースメディシン研究センター, 博士研究員 (30623764) ; Nakai Yasuhiro 金沢大学, 脳・肝インターフェースメディシン研究センター, 博士研究員 (00648537) ; Imamura Kosuke 金沢大学, 理工研究域電子情報学系, 准教授 (00324096)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 動体認識 / 視覚情報処理 / ショウジョウバエ / 視覚中枢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Visual information processing in motion detection is an important topic of neuroscience. However, the details of motion detection circuits remain elusive. In this study, we used the fly visual center as a model to elucidate the structure and function of motion detection circuits.
As a first step, I constructed an insect area, in which various visual stimuli can be presented to a fly and its response can be quantified using an infrared sensor. Using this system, I examined the roles of potential motion detection neurons such as Mi1, Lawf1 and Lawf2. As a result, I found that Mi1 plays a central role in motion detection and that Lawf1 and Lawf2 act co-operatively.

Free Research Field

神経科学