Study of the evolutively maintained molecular nanomachine regulating neurotransmitter release in chemical synapses, using combined genetic, molecular and neurophysiological techniques in fruitflies. Alterations of these molecular components are observed in some psychiatric diseases (i.e. schizophrenia, depression, autism) where they can led to a synaptic dysfunction, to a consequent modification of postsynaptic integration and, finally, to an altered information coding fo post-synaptic neurons.

Adaptive behaviors in response to sudden environmental modifications (i.e., food finding; predator identification; detection of another individual) have and had an enormous evolutive significance. They are based on fundamental brain processes similar among different and evolutively distant organisms (i.e. invertebrates and vertebrates). Are these similar mechanisms sharing also similar neural circuits and neurotransmitters ? Or, differently, did evolution "found" different functional strategies to process these similar adaptive behaviors ?
Using as model the fruitfly and the possibility to combine in this model sophisticated genetic, neurophysiological, and behavioral techniques, are investigated in this invertebrate complex behaviors like wake/sleep cycle, social interactions, decision making and action selection processes, selective attention, reward and fear behaviors.

Dissertations and Original Researches are proposed for the final discussion for acquiring the degree in Courses where Prof Megighian is faculty member as well as in other Courses in collaboration with the proper faculty members.


Suggested arguments

Study of the evolutively maintained molecular nanomachine regulating neurotransmitter release in chemical synapses, using combined genetic, molecular and neurophysiological techniques in fruitflies.

Adaptive behaviors in response to sudden environmental modifications (i.e., food finding; predator identification; detection of another individual) have and had an enormous evolutive significance. They are based on fundamental brain processes similar among different and evolutively distant organisms (i.e. invertebrates and vertebrates). Are these similar mechanisms sharing also similar neural circuits and neurotransmitters ? Or, differently, did evolution "found" different functional strategies to process these similar adaptive behaviors ?
Using as model the fruitfly and the possibility to combine in this model sophisticated genetic, neurophysiological, and behavioral techniques, are investigated in this invertebrate complex behaviors like wake/sleep cycle, social interactions, decision making and action selection processes, selective attention, reward and fear behaviors.

Utilized techniques: behavioral quantitative analysis using video tracking techniques and offline computer analysis; simple genetic techniques (fruitfly lines crossings and selection of specific mutants using phenotipic markers); confocal microscopy techniques; neurophysiology and electrophysiology techniques.

On the basis of Lab multidisciplinary approaches and collaborations, students are involved in a stimulating and collaborative environment together with other students developing in turn their thesis.