Preliminary: Myelin-like structures in Drosophila
The development of the nervous system cumulates in the formation of an intricate neuronal network comprising many axons that transmit information. To ensure high speed of action potential transmission, some species have evolved the formation of myelin or myelin-like insulation which increases the membrane resistance and thus promotes faster action potential conductance. Invertebrates such as Drosophila do not contain myelin. However, we show that Drosophila glial cells can indeed form myelin-like structures in the nervous system. This occurs rather late during development. I have developed a tool (APEX2) for cellular and subcellular labelling in electron microscopic images to analyse those multiple glial membrane wraps.
Former Student Representative