Exploring asymmetric neural dynamics – a study on Drosophila’s visuomotor processing

Asymmetry is a fundamental principle of nervous system organization and can be seen across species in various forms, ranging from subtle differences in neuron size, synaptic connectivity, or axonal branching, to more pronounced cases where entire brain regions are lateralized to one hemisphere. These asymmetries play a critical role in cognition, species-specific behaviors, and neural circuit physiology. While studies in model organisms and human brain imaging have provided some insights into the role of asymmetry in behavior, the underlying neural and computational mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Navigational tasks, such as locating food or mates and driving a car rely on these neural asymmetries. In Drosophila, dorsal cluster neurons (DCN) exhibit asymmetric axonal branching between hemispheres and are crucial for navigation between targets. Flies with more asymmetric DCN wiring show improved performance when orienting toward an object, and inducing asymmetry in originally symmetric wiring enhances this ability. In this project, I aim to test for the first time the computational, physiological, and behavioral advantages of neural circuit asymmetries within a single animal model. I hypothesize that structural asymmetry within a circuit influences its physiology by promoting specific neural activity dynamics across hemispheres. To test this, I will combine anatomical reconstructions, functional calcium imaging in freely behaving flies, and computational modeling. My expertise in linking specific neural circuits to visually guided behaviors uniquely positions me to uncover how structural asymmetry benefits neural physiology. The rapidly advancing tools and resources in Drosophila research make DCN an ideal model for this study. Overall, this integrated approach provides a promising avenue for revealing fundamental principles of neural circuit function and the advantages of asymmetric wiring.