Tiny Brains at High Speed:

The Neuroscience of Fly Flight

 

APRIL 9, 2018

 

FEATURING:

 

Jessica Fox, PhD

Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University

 

 

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EVENT INFORMATION:

Animal brains take in information from the environment, process it, and use it to make decisions in very short amounts of time. Many animals use vision as a main source of information, but information coming from the eyes is only useful if the animal knows where it is in space and how it is moving. Humans use the inner ear vestibular system to determine head and body movements. Flies, which move much faster than humans and fly in three dimensions, don't have a vestibular system. Instead, they use their hindwings to sense their body's rotation, and then use this information to decide how to steer their wings as they flap them 200 times per second. 

In Jessica's lab, Fox Lab@CWRU, they study how flies use their sensory systems to fly. They carefully record the flies' behavior while providing different sensory input, and they also record the activity of neurons in their brains. Our work shows us how small groups of nerve cells can act together to generate flight, and provides ideas on new ways to pilot drones. 

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CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK PICKS:

If the discussion topic for this month's Science Cafe has the gears turning and you are interested in continuing your quest for information, click here to view just a small sample of what's available at the Cleveland Public Library on the subject and/or related topics.

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EVENT DETAILS:

 

WHERE:

The Music Box Supper Club - Concert Hall

1148 Main Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

 

WHEN:

April 9, 2018

 

WHO:

Sponsored by Case Western Reserve University chapter of Sigma Xi, WCPN ideastream, and the Music Box Supper Club.

 

Click here for event flyer - (.pdf)

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