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Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

College

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

Keywords

Gut-brain axis, communication, Digestive physiology, Neurobiology, Gastrointestinal signaling, Metabolism, Feeding behavior, Sleep regulation, Digestive system, Drosophila melanogaster, Model organism, Crop ablation, Activity Recording CAFE (ARC), Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM), Energy homeostasis, Bariatric surgery, Sleeve gastrectomy

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The gut-brain axis mediates communication between the digestive and nervous systems to regulate physiology and behavior. Its dysfunction profoundly impacts human health and causes disease. Region-specific hormones and neurotransmitters in the digestive system respond to several processes to signal the brain, but the mechanisms of gut-brain signaling are not fully defined. Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful model for studying gut biology by showing remarkable similarity to mammalian digestive systems, as both regulate energy by distributing nutrients. We refined a minimally invasive surgical protocol to remove the crop from adult flies. We then utilized the Activity Recording CAFE (ARC) and Drosophila Activity Monitor (DAM) to quantify feeding and sleep in recovered flies. Cropless flies showed no change in total consumption but ate smaller, more frequent meals and exhibited altered sleep patterns. This model offers insights into how digestive system modifications, such as sleeve gastrectomies, may influence metabolism, behavior, and disease.

Advisors

William Ja

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