Characterising glia in the enteric nervous system of adult Drosophila melanogaster
Key information
Research topics
This is a summer student position supervised by Anadika Prasad in Irene Miguel-Aliaga's lab.
Introduction to the science
The gut, much like the brain and the spinal cord, has its own nervous system, the enteric nervous system (ENS). The ENS comprised of millions of enteric neurons and glia resides within the gut wall and regulates fundamental processes such as nutrient absorption, digestion and elimination. Additionally, it functions as an important communication hub between the gut and the brain. One of the broad aims of our lab’s research is to elucidate how the gut communicates with neighboring tissues such as the ENS and the brain (and vice-versa) to regulate whole body physiology in mammals (mice) as well as invertebrates (fruit flies). Like mammals, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster also has an ENS. While enteric neurons do not reside within the Drosophila gut, they project to and innervate the anterior region of the gut. In addition, neurons from the brain also directly innervate the gut. Although the Drosophila ENS is simpler than that of mammals, Drosophila enteric neurons share similar functions with vertebrate enteric neurons, making flies a strong model for studying ENS biology. While the role of vertebrate enteric glia in regulating a majority of ENS functions is slowly gaining traction, whether enteric glia regulate Drosophila gut physiology is unknown. The aim of my project is to determine whether enteric glial cells communicate with the gut and whether disrupting glial function adversely affects gut physiology in adult Drosophila.
About the project
The student will use powerful transgenic approaches (i.e. Gal4/UAS system) and imaging techniques to characterize the enteric glia in adult Drosophila. By employing well defined glial markers (i.e. Gal4 transgenic flies) as well as newly identified Gal4 lines crossed to fluorescent reporter flies, the student will determine whether glia surrounding the enteric neurons are a novel population of glia unique to the ENS. The student will learn several new techniques such as:
- Setting up genetic crosses using transgenic flies.
- Dissecting the adult Drosophila ENS and mounting them on slides for staining.
- Staining dissected samples with antibodies against proteins of interest.
- Using confocal microscopy to image stained ENS samples.
- Analyzing confocal images using image processing programs.
Candidate background
The post holder should embody and demonstrate the Crick ethos and ways of working: bold, open and collegial. The candidate must be registered at a UK Higher Education Institution, studying in the UK and must have completed a minimum of two years’ undergraduate study in a relevant discipline, and on track to receive a final degree grade of 2:1 or 1. In addition, they should be able demonstrate the following experience and key competencies:
- This project would suit students studying biology, biomedical sciences or medicine, who are interested in learning about gut physiology as well as gut-brain communication using powerful genetic techniques and capturing beautiful confocal images along the way
- Good knowledge in relevant scientific area(s)
- Good written and spoken communication skills
- Ability to work independently and also capable of interacting within a group
References
1. Gonzales, J. and Gulbransen, B.D. (2025)
The physiology of enteric glia.
Annual Review of Physiology 87: 353–380. PubMed abstract
2. Lemaitre, B. and Miguel-Aliaga, I. (2013)
The digestive tract of Drosophila melanogaster .
Annual Review of Genetics 47: 377–404. PubMed abstract