1: Characterize genetic network of genes involved in memory and intellectual disability
Understanding t
he genetic ensemble in which a given gene involved in intellectual disability is functioning is key. Genetic pleiotropy implicates that genes are reused but combined differently depending on the function to be achieved. In other words, a given gene will be used with different enhancers or suppressors to create various phenotypes (eg. tissue development or neuronal function). Drosophila genetics allows for rapid identification of modifier genes in a given pathway.
Memory and intellectual disability are likely to involve multiple genes, making the ability to screen genes fast even more advantageous.
Furthermore, Drosophila allows for spatio-temporal dissection of gene function which helps to establish if the cognitive defect observed is caused by the effect of the gene purely during development or adulthood, an essential piece of information for treatment. Importantly, Drosophila is cheap to keep and provide an impressive economy of scale while allowing population genetics and in vivo studies. We will therefore utilize Drosophila mutants for genes involved in intellectual disability such as Fragile X syndrome, Angelman syndrome and others, to study epistatic interactions with other genes in the context of memory formation and maintenance. This will allow us to establish a genetic network that can later be used to develop therapeutic.
2: Uncover the 
genetics of social interaction.
We have recetnly established a novel assay in which two flies are monitored as they interact across a mesh divider. The trajectories are monitored and traced using an automated tracking software. We have recently showed signiifcant difference between the behavior of Fragile X flies and wild type flies in this assay.
Our work aims at understanding the neuronal circuit underlying this behavior as well as identifying other genes required for this type of interaction in Drosophila.
