Classification of NPF neurons and their role in modulating different behaviors

Animals execute many motivated behaviors over the course of their lives, with the goal of surviving and
reproducing. Motivation is gradual and can be influenced by diverse processes that stimulate and direct
behavior. In each individual, sensory systems continuously perceive signals from the environment,
generating an internal representation of the outside world. This sensory information is integrated with the
internal state of the animal, determining how sensory stimuli trigger the type and intensity of motor
actions.
In Drosophila melanogaster Neuropeptide F (NPF), homolog to NPY in humans, coordinates diverse sets
of neurons that have a role in reward-seeking behaviors such as feeding, social interactions, alcohol
sensitivity, and more. There are ~40 NPF-expressing neurons that spread dendrites and exons across the
central brain and ventral nerve cord.
The aim of this project is to further understand the importance of different subsets of NPF neurons on
specific behaviors. By activating or inhibiting the NPF system in specific NPF-expressing neurons and
performing behavior experiments, we can identify which subset of NPF neurons derives certain behavior.
To express certain elements in a specific subset of NPF neurons we used an intersectional strategy that
expresses two separate parts of a promotor each under different driver.
In our research we examined social interaction in groups. living in a group creates a complex and
dynamic environment in which the behavior of individuals is influenced by and affects others, thus
creating interesting patterns of behaviors. Also, we examined food consumption under starvation, both
NPF-dependent behaviors.