Invertebrate Neurobiology

A locust

Invertebrates are important model systems for studying how the brain and the nervous system functions. We use invertebrate model systems for understanding the way that networks of neurons encode sensory information and how they coordinate motor control. Our research employs a diverse array of neuroethological techniques including intra- and extra-cellular recordings of visual neurons, multichannel extracellular arrays for recording from sensory populations, psychophysics and behavioural observations, mathematical modelling, and the use of robots for testing mathematical models of the interface between sensation and motor output.

one of the LGMD2 neurons that warn of impending collisionOur main experimental subjects have been the honeybee and locust, although we have recently started working on neural networks in the crab. Members of our group have worked jointly with industries (eg Volvo) interested using the principles underlying insect neural circuits to design simple bio-inspired detectors. Dr Claire Rind and Dr Peter Simmons received the 2005 IgNobel Prize for their contributions to neuroscience.

Staff:

X_invertebrate

Dr Peter Andras
Reader in Complex Systems

Dr Claire Rind
Reader in Invertebrate Neurobiology

Dr Peter Simmons
Reader in Neurobiology & Behaviour

Dr Geraldine Wright
Reader in Neuroethology

Selected Publications:

  • Wright GA, Mustard JA, Kottcamp SM, Smith BH (2007) Olfactory memory formation and the influence of reward pathway during appetitive learning by honey bees. Journal of Experimental Biology 210: 4024-4033 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17981870)
  • Santer RD, Yamawaki Y, Rind FC, Simmons PJ (2008) Preparing for escape: An examination of the role of the DCMD neuron in locust escape jumps. Journal of Comparative Physiology A – Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural and Behavioral Physiology 194: 69-77 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18030478)
  • Wright GA, Kottcamp SM, Thomson MGA (2008) Generalization mediates sensitivity to complex odor features in the honeybee. PLoS ONE 3, e1704 (http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0001704)
  • Santer RD, Rind FC, Stafford R, Simmons PJ (2006) Role of an identified looming-sensitive neuron in triggering a flying locust's escape. Journal of Neurophysiology 95: 3391-3400 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16452263)
  • Simmons PJ (2002) Presynaptic depolarization rate controls transmission at an invertebrate synapse. Neuron 35: 749-758 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12194873)
  • Simmons PJ, de Ruyter van Steveninck R (2005) Reliability of signal transfer at a tonically transmitting, graded potential synapse of the locust ocellar pathway. Journal of Neuroscience 25: 7529-7537 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16107640)
  • Wright GA, Thomson MG, Smith BH (2005) Odour concentration affects odour identity in honeybees. Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences 272: 2417-2422 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16243694)
  • Leitinger G, Pabst MA, Rind FC, Simmons PJ (2004) Differential expression of synapsin in visual neurons of the locust Schistocerca gregaria. Journal of Comparative Neurology 480: 89-100 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15514920)
  • Maze IS, Wright GA, Mustard JA (2006) Acute ethanol ingestion produces dose-dependent effects on motor behavior in the honey bee (Apis mellifera). Journal of Insect Physiology 52: 1243-1253 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17070538)
  • Stafford R, Santer RD, Rind FC (2007) A bio-inspired visual collision detection mechanism for cars: Combining insect inspired neurons to create a robust system.  Biosystems 87: 164-171 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17027143)