No abstract

Voltage gated calcium channels regulate calcium influx and vesicular release of neurotransmitter at chemical synapses. In Drosophila, there are three genes, Dmca1D, 1A, and α1T encoding Cav1, Cav2 and Cav3‐type channels respectively. Studies have shown that the α1T channels are important in regulation of action potential firing in Drosophila at the neuromuscular junction and the central nervous system. The α1T has been shown to be expressed across the adult fly brain. These include sensory neuropils, motor‐associated neuropils, and neuropils associated with learning and memory. We explored the role the α1T gene in adult Drosophila plays in motor‐associated activity using a locomotor assay. Our data suggests that the α1T gene knockout results in a defect in regulating excitability in adult Drosophila that manifests in altered motor activity. Using a T‐maze assay, the Drosophila are exposed to two different odors separately: 3‐Octanol with no electric current, and 4‐Methylcyclohexanol (MCH) administered with electric currents. Exposure to MCH with electric currents will create a negative association towards MCH and condition the flies to favor 3‐Octanol. The flies without the α1T gene are expected to be greatly impacted in their capability to build a negative connotation towards MCH, when compared to flies with the α1T gene. Support or Funding Information Build PoderNational Institute of HealthPasadena City College T‐Maze This figure illustrates how the Drosophila will favor the 3‐Octanol odor over the 4‐Methylcyclohexanol (MCH) odor.

DNA analysis is a fundamental topic of research leading to many studies related to the detection of disease-causing microbes, gene variations causing genetic disorders, DNA mapping, and evolutionary links between ancient and modern remains. This study uses stem-loop folded DNA (SLF-DNA) probe immobilized on the surface of an electrode as a part of tri-component sensor for detection of specific DNA. The advantages over traditional methods such as Southern and Northern Blots, or PCR amplification include the possibility to detect low quantities of unlabeled target analyte, high specificity of nucleic acid recognition and possibility to use the same immobilized DNA probe for detection of many different sequences. In our approach hairpin shaped oligonucleotide (SLF-DNA) is immobilized onto a gold electrode and the signal of specific tag is measured. Importantly, immobilized SLF-DNA does not directly hybridize with the target analyte, but via the two adaptor strands. This design allows application of the same electrode in the same immobilized adaptor strand to be used for the detection of almost any target, relatively inexpensive adaptor should be changes to recognize a new DNA/RNA analyte. These electrochemical biosensors are simple to use, low cost, low power, portable with fast response times, and high specificity and sensitivity.