Gwyneth Card is interested in the neural mechanisms and circuit architectures that underlie visually guided behavioral choices in the fly. Specifically, Card and her team study Drosophila escape behavior in ecologically relevant situations, combining high-throughput, high-resolution behavioral quantification with genetic, electrophysiological, and functional imaging techniques. Their aim is to understand the neural process involved when a fly chooses to perform a given escape behavior, to identify candidate neurons involved in coordination and choice of escape behaviors, and to link a neuron’s responses directly to an action.
Every millisecond counts when a fruit fly is being hunted by a damselfly. Janelia scientists find that fruit flies can deploy two escape behaviors, depending on circumstances. Over the past year, two scientists who have been at Janelia since its opening took on new roles as group leaders, and six new fellows were recruited to head their own research groups.