Dr Melvyn Yap, UQ : "Electrophysiological Analyses of Sleep States in Drosophila"
Speaker:
Dr Melvyn Yap (PhD Exit Seminar)
Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland
Title: "Electrophysiological Analyses of Sleep States in Drosophila"
Abstract: Understanding the electrophysiological properties of the sleeping brain is an important step towards understanding sleep functions. Sleep studies in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster have begun to unravel molecular mechanisms involved in sleep regulations. However, the electrophysiological properties of sleep, a key component in mammalian sleep research, remain largely unexplored in fly sleep research. Here I will present my work in developing novel brain recording techniques for sleeping flies, using various methods of sleep induction techniques, discovering a distinct oscillatory brain activity that suggests a transitional sleep stage, and attempts at elucidating the role of this oscillatory activity. The results of these studies reveal that sleep in even the smallest brains is not a single, simple phenomenon, but rather involves distinct stages with likely different roles.
About Neuroscience Seminars
Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.
Seminars in the QBI Auditorium are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details.
