Lifeboat Foundation

Summary: Researchers uncovered how distinct neuron types in the Drosophila fruit fly differentiate their functions despite originating from a similar genetic framework.

In the study, two closely related neuronal subtypes expressed more than 800 different genes (~5% of the fly genome) differently. This gene expression directly influenced the observable distinctions between the neuron types.

The findings help illuminate the brain’s intricate cell development and how disease could affect it.